British Columbia’s 2020 budget doesn’t only focus on the mental health of youth, it aims to keep them physically healthy as well.
One way this will be done is expanding the PST to sweetened carbonated beverages, which weren’t previously affected by this tax.
It’ll be taxed at a rate of 7%, starting on July 1, 2020.
“Research tells us that the biggest consumers of pop are teenagers between the ages of 14-18, with consumption of pop declining with age,” said the government’s budget presentation.
“The consumption of these beverages increases health care costs for the province.”
According to the government, this measure is in response to repeated recommendations from a wide range of experts.
That includes health professionals, the MSP task force and an all-party committee.
It’s projected that eliminating the PST exemption on these types of drinks will increase PST revenue by $27 million in 2020-21 and $37 million in 2021-22.
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