For immediate release
Toronto - March 10, 2023 - Beer Canada welcomes the influential House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance’s (FINA) recommendation to freeze beer taxes in the upcoming Government of Canada 2023 Budget.
In its final report in advance of 2023 Federal Budget, entitled “Responding to the challenges of our time”, the all-party committee unanimously endorsed Beer Canada’s recommendation to hold the line on beer taxes.
Specifically, the committee’s recommendation #28 is to “Freeze federal beer, wine and spirit excise duties at 2022 rates for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, and until inflation returns to the Bank of Canada’s 1% to 3% target range”.
“We are extremely grateful that members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance recognized that Canadian consumers and businesses can’t afford and don’t support new taxes on beer during these very challenging economic times”, said CJ Hélie President of Beer Canada.
Today, Canadian brewers are facing increases in their operating and inputs costs not experienced in decades, including a 60% increase in barley prices, 40% increase in packaging costs and a doubling of transportation fees. Consumers, for their part, feel squeezed at every corner with cost-of-living increases across both essential and discretionary spending.
“We and our supply chain partners representing grain farmers, maltsters, hospitality, tourism, retail, transportation and brewery workers call on Minister of Freeland to embrace this common-sense recommendation to help fight inflation and keep life affordable for Canadians,” added Hélie.
ABOUT BEER CANADA
Beer Canada is the sole national inclusive voice advocating on behalf of Canadian brewers of all sizes and regions and Canadian beer consumers.
Beer Canada’s member companies brew 90% of all beer consumed by Canadians annually. The production, distribution and sale of beer supports 149,000 Canadian jobs, generates $14 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $5.7 billion in government tax revenues.
Beer Canada promotes moderate and responsible consumption by those of the legal age and is the authoritative source for data & information on the Canadian beer Industry.
SOURCE
Karine Cousineau - VP, Strategic Communications – Beer Canada kcousineau@beercanada.com www.HereForBeer.ca
