Beer Canada calling on government to freeze tax increases on beer

Beer Canada, which represents Canadian brewers, is calling on governments across the country to freeze beer tax increases.

"Canadian consumers, small businesses and the thousands of people working in areas hit hardest by the pandemic – restaurants, hospitality, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and transportation – need our support," said Luke Chapman, Interim President of Beer Canada.

"Freezing beer tax increases is one small, no-cost decision that federal and provincial governments can make to provide some relief where it's needed most.”

According to Beer Canada, more than 149,000 Canadians work in jobs directly or indirectly supported by the production and sale of beer, and 47% of the price of beer is government tax.

Statistics say that 57,000 restaurant and hospitality jobs and 35,00 retail jobs are supported by beer sales.

The group added that in Canada, the tax rate is nearly five times higher than our neighbours in the United States.

"Surely, amid a global pandemic and a once-a-century economic downturn, there is cause to stop an automatic tax increase to ensure we help everyday Canadians to cope with the impacts of COVID-19,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

“That's why asking the government to freeze this unfair tax increase to give consumers a break and to support the economic recovery of Canadian bars, restaurants and domestic producers."