Canada GST holiday ‘a targeted approach’: minister [Video]

Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien is calling the federal government’s proposed GST holiday and $250 rebate cheques a “targeted approach” to address affordability concerns.

“This is a targeted approach to the holidays, and that’s what this is about,” Ien told CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos in an interview airing Sunday.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

On Thursday, the federal government announced a two-month Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) break on a variety of essential items and consumer goods that will apply across the country between Dec. 14 and Feb. 15.

In April, the Trudeau government also plans to send a “Working Canadians Rebate” to Canadians who make $150,000 per year or less. The government’s own estimation is that 18.7 million Canadians will qualify.

Both measures will cost the federal government a combined $6.3 billion and have the support of the NDP to move ahead.

The relief measures …