Opposition leader calls for government to axe the sugar tax

    Monday, 22 April 2024 12:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Tony Wakeham brought concerns to the floor of a single mother paying $11 on a $4 purchase of fruit punch, and says it’s time to axe the sugar tax.

    Newfoundland and Labrador was the first province in Canada to impose a sugar tax on beverages. In August of 2022, the  “Rethink Your Drink” campaign was launched by government and the tax took effect September 1st. The goal was to make about $9 million in extra revenue but the new tax actually brought in $11 million. In the House of Assembly late last week, opposition leader Tony Wakeham brought concerns to the floor of a single mother paying $11 on a $4 purchase of fruit punch, and it’s time to axe the sugar tax. Finance Minister Siobhan Coady it’s about offering consumers a choice. She says Medical professionals all recommend lowering sugar in diets. The new tax works out to be about 20 cents a litre and also includes concentrated frozen juices, syrups and flavoured powders used to make beverages. 

     

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