This excise tax automatically climbs every year in accordance with the rate of inflation. When it was introduced in 2017, the federal tax on alcohol rose by two per cent.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) told CTV News Toronto that their prices are based on a variety of factors: the supplier’s price plus federal import and export duties, freight, levies, a standard mark-up, HST and container deposit.
“Our suppliers set their own pricing (subject to minimum retail prices) and have the option to adjust their pricing up or down throughout the year in response to currency fluctuations, federal taxes or freight rate changes, or price changes by their competitors,” an LCBO spokesperson said.
Retail price increases are determined by alcohol producers, the provincial liquor board explained. Meaning, price hikes that come into effect on April 1 at Ontario liquor stores will vary product-by-product.
“What we are forecasting is if this goes ahead, the price of a 12 pack in Ontario, given everything going on, would go up about 10 per cent,” CJ Hélie, President of Beer Canada, told CTV News Toronto. That increase would be due to a compilation of cost increases across the board for the beer sector, including the price of barley, corn and transportation, alongside the tax.
At 46%, almost half of beer’s retail price are taxes today in Canada, the highest rate in the G7. Japan, with the 2nd highest rate, will reduce their beer taxes in October 2023 and in 2026. The Canadian government is set to raise beer taxes by 6.3% on April 1st. #HereforBeerpic.twitter.com/on4ZUUzL8r
“It would be more of a gradual thing,” Hélie said about the potential price hike. “That sticker shock is too much. Breweries would look to do it in increments throughout the year.”
In an effort to avoid that scenario, he is pushing for a freeze on the tax until inflation returns to Canada’s two per cent target. “It’s just the worst time to pile on and make things worse,” Hélie said, pointing to the rough patch of pandemic years when the hospitality sector shutdown, dragging sales down by about 3.5 per cent last year.
There is a 6.3% increase to federal beverage alcohol excise duties, scheduled for April 1, 2023. This is the LARGEST beverage alcohol tax increase Canada has seen in 40 years. pic.twitter.com/MujBNpnsvm
Advocacy for the tax freeze comes as a new report, funded by Health Canada, found consuming more than two drinks per week constituted a moderate health risk due to evidence linking alcohol to cancer. These guidelines marked a significant change from the previous understanding that men could have up to 15 drinks per week with low risk, and women up to 10.
Restaurants Canada, a national not-for-profit association representing the industry, is also calling for a deferral of the upcoming federal tax increase in order to grant food and beverage businesses more room to “absorb another tax increase at this vulnerable time,” the organization said earlier this week.
Health Canada has authorized Novavax’s updated COVID-19 vaccine that protects against currently circulating variants of the virus.
The protein-based vaccine, called Nuvaxovid, has been reformulated to target the JN.1 subvariant of Omicron.
It will replace the previous version of the vaccine, which targeted the XBB.1.5 subvariant of Omicron.
Health Canada recently asked provinces and territories to get rid of their older COVID-19 vaccines to ensure the most current vaccine will be used during this fall’s respiratory virus season.
Earlier this week, Health Canada approved Moderna’s updated mRNA COVID vaccine.
It is still reviewing Pfizer’s updated mRNA vaccine, with a decision expected soon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version erroneously described the Novavax vaccine as an mRNA shot.
HALIFAX – The federal Fisheries Department says an endangered North Atlantic right whale has become entangled in gear in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The department says the whale was sighted Wednesday by a Transport Canada aerial surveillance team northeast of the Gaspé Peninsula, off Anticosti Island.
Officials say it’s not known what type of gear has entangled the whale or where the gear came from.
Based on observation, experts at the New England Aquarium have confirmed the whale is a female known as Chiminea.
The department says it is continuing to monitor the area and if the whale is located and conditions allow, efforts will be made to disentangle the animal.
Last October, the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium estimated there were 356 North Atlantic right whales left on the planet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Canadian pop icon Nelly Furtado has been named one of three headliners for the opening ceremony of the upcoming Invictus Games.
Furtado, from Victoria, will share the stage with alt-pop star Roxane Bruneau of Delson, Que., and American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan.
They’ll be part of the show that opens the multi-sport event in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C., in February.
The Invictus Games sees wounded, injured, and sick military service members and Veterans compete in 11 disciplines.
The Vancouver Whistler 2025 Games will be the first of seven editions to feature winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton and wheelchair curling.
British Columbia’s Lower Mainland will host the Invictus Games from Feb. 8-16.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
