Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced Friday that the Manitoba government will continue discussions with critics regarding the planned elimination of the 7% provincial sales tax on grocery items as of July 1, 2026. Basic groceries like meat, milk, bread, and produce are already exempt, but the change would exclude items sold at restaurants, gas stations, and small urban convenience stores. Critics argue this creates an unfair competitive disadvantage for these businesses.
Sala acknowledged the concerns and expressed the government's willingness to listen. The proposed plan would cost the government approximately $32 million annually, but expanding the tax break could increase those costs.