Feds hiking alcohol taxes by 4.7 per cent

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the federal government to drop plans to increase alcohol taxes by 4.7 per cent in 2024. 

“Canadians are struggling with inflation and the last thing we need is the feds making it more expensive to enjoy a cold one at the end of a long work week,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should be trying to make life more affordable and that means scrapping his alcohol tax hikes.”

The federal government will increase its alcohol excise tax by 4.7 per cent in 2024, according to CTF estimates. 

The alcohol escalator tax automatically increases federal excise taxes on beer, wine and spirits every year on April 1. 

Taxes already account for about half of the price of beer, 65 per cent of the price of wine and more than three quarters of the price of spirits.

“This is fundamentally undemocratic because politicians are increasing their tax take without a single vote in Parliament,” said Carson Binda, CTF British Columbia Director. “The feds need to stop binging on alcohol taxes.”