GST tax break: Liberals table legislation after NDP demand split [Video]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promised holiday consumer relief package has been split in half.

After NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party was only ready to help pass the two-month Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) portion of the affordability announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled legislation Wednesday that solely seeks to enact that measure.

“We are demanding that the Liberal government put in place a separated GST holiday first, and then fix the cheques to include seniors and people living with disabilities before we support that,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said before question period.

• Here’s a list of items that will be GST/HST-free over the holidays 

The Bill, C-78, spans just five pagesand seeks to amend the Excise Tax Act “in order to implement a temporary GST/HST holiday,” on a slate of items including children’s clothing and diapers, beer and wine, restaurant and pre-prepared meals as well as common stocking …