P.E.I. businesses hope HST break brings more than confusion at the cash register [Video]

Some businesses on P.E.I. say the federal government’s pause on requiring the HST to be charged has had little effect on sales, but the true test will come in the six weeks ahead as the shopping season slows down.

Barry Balderston, co-owner of Owls Hollow Toys & Games in Charlottetown, said the tax pause made a “hectic” holiday season even more hectic. That wasn’t just because people were shopping more; many were also unclear exactly what was supposed to be taxed and what wasn’t.

“It was just a hectic time of year for it to happen. That was our biggest problem — but it did help us some. Business is up some, and people were pretty glad to get the break.”  

Last month, the House of Commons passed legislation from the minority Liberal government to remove the federal sales tax (as well as the provincial portion from provinces including P.E.I. …