Alcohol excise tax capped at two per cent for two more years, Freeland announces

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says a tax on beer, spirits and wine is set to increase on April 1 to two per cent. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government will cap the annual alcohol excise tax increase on beer, spirits and wine at two per cent for an additional two years.

The alcohol excise tax had been set to rise on April 1 by 4.7 per cent, tied to inflation, but Freeland announced today that the increase is being capped at the lower rate.

She also announced some tax relief for local craft breweries by cutting the excise duty rate on the first 15,000 hectolitres of beer in half for two years.

She says Canada's small craft brewers are among the finest in the world and are an important contributor to the economy.

Restaurants Canada is applauding the move, saying the financial relief will give operators a chance to catch their breath as they try to cope with inflation and bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says it is good to see some relief, but the government shouldn't be raising alcohol taxes at all.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2024