Sask. small business owner illustrates cost-of-living struggle: NDP

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Removing the provincial sales tax on children’s clothes could be done quickly and would make an immediate impact on the rising cost of living, Saskatchewan’s NDP Opposition says.

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“This is a tax that costs Saskatchewan families $22 million every year,” NDP Leader Carla Beck said at a Wednesday news conference in Saskatoon.

The event was held at Reclaim Maternity Baby Kids, a clothing store where Beck was flanked by Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis MLA Don McBean and store owner Janel Edwards, a mother of twins who said she has noticed rising costs as both a business owner and a consumer.

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Edwards said she sees customers who are having a hard time paying for the basics.

“I had someone yesterday put a (baby) bottle on Afterpay; that’s insane, that hurts my heart,” she said.

Removing the PST from children’s clothes could make a real difference in regards in prices and would allow people to potentially get an extra set of clothes for their young child or buy other essentials, Edwards added, noting that having to spend more on essentials like clothing leaves less money for important activities that help with early learning.

“Things like that aren’t being able to be accessed because your kid needs pants.”

Edwards said this week has been one of the slowest for her business this year. Some people have told her they’re putting off purchases until the federal government’s GST holiday kicks in this weekend. It’s hard to tell if the GST break will help her store, she said.

“We’ll see. It’ll be interesting.”

The Sask. Party government recently passed legislation aimed at helping with the rising cost of living, including an income tax reduction for lower-income earners and refusing to charge the federal carbon tax on home heating bills. The legislation also keeps the small business tax rate at one per cent and offers a tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

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“This important legislation will enhance Saskatchewan’s status as the most affordable place in Canada to live, work, raise a family and start a business,” Finance Minister Jim Reiter told the assembly when the bills passed third and final reading.

— With Canadian Press files

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