Dexter’s HST hike cost Nova Scotia customers $10.2 million

HALIFAX, NS – A trip to the liquor store this Canada Day costs a lot more thanks to Darrell Dexter’s two per cent HST hike.  Exactly how much more can be found in the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation’s year-end results.

Data released yesterday by the NSLC shows that from April 1, 2011 until March 31, 2012, on gross sales of $588.9 million, Nova Scotians paid an extra $10,241,739 in higher HST at liquor stores.

“While friends and families gather to celebrate Canada Day, the NDP are celebrating a windfall in extra taxes,” said MLA Chris d’Entremont, Progressive Conservative critic for the Liquor Control Act. “When it all adds up, Canada Day is anything but a holiday for taxpayers. It’s one of the biggest NDP tax grabs of the year.”

Canada Day is one of the most important sales times of the year at NSLC stores. Every 40-ounce bottle of Captain Morgan White nets an extra 80 cents for the NDP government. On a two-four of Keiths India Pale Ale, the added HST means an additional 82 cents is handed over.

The NSLC’s year-end report does not state what percentage of the liquor corporation’s collected HST was remitted to the government, but the gross HST collected is $10.2 million.

July 1st is the two-year anniversary of the NDP government’s tax hike. Nova Scotia’s HST is the highest in Canada.

d’Entremont says the PC Party will counter the NDP's high costs with legislation to make affordability of power a priority, balance the budget and reduce the HST.

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Background information can be found at:

$10.2 million is two per cent of the NSLC’s gross annual sales of $588.9 million.
http://www.mynslc.com/Documents/News%20Releases/2012/Year%20End%20F12%20News%20Release.pdf

Products:
http://www.mynslc.com/Products/PID-1001831
http://www.mynslc.com/Products/PID-1001149