The Nova Scotia NDP are asking Premier Tim Houston to cut grocery tax on all food items.

NDP leader Claudia Chender tabled legislation on Tuesday in an effort to cut the grocery tax to help Nova Scotians.

Chender asked for amendments to be made to Chapter 31 of the Acts of 1996, the Sales Tax Act.

Food prices from September 2022 to September 2023 were up 6.2 per cent in Nova Scotia compared to the national food price increase which was 5.9 per cent. Some food items that saw the highest inflation year-over-year were chicken, beef, fats and oils and non-alcoholic beverages. Chicken saw the fastest inflation with a rise of 17.4 per cent. 

“The basics in our grocery stores aren't taxed, but there are an awful lot of things that are,” Chender says. 

But things like prepared foods still have sales tax. Chender says people working long shifts or seniors may opt for these food items that are taxed.

“Many of the items that might have been un-taxable as groceries are becoming taxed as the portion sizes get smaller, and the prices rise.”

A recent report from Food Bank Canada gave Nova Scotia an overall grade of an "F" when looking at several categories. Food Insecurity Rate received an "F" due to contributing factors such as lack of jobs and high social assistance in the province. 

“There’s been a skyrocketing food bank use,” Chender says. “Almost everywhere the need is actually unmanageable.”

The NDP says removing HST from all food items is a step to helping people afford to get by. 

“What this will do is help people who are right on the edge, live with a little more dignity, and be able to eat three meals a day,” Chender says.

The NDP is also looking to cut PharmaCare fees for seniors and families. “People are choosing between food and medicine,” Chender says. “That’s an impossible choice that no one should have to make.”

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