More than 8 in 10 Canadians say food should not be taxed
Canadians are struggling with rising living costs while local restaurants work to recover from years of disruption. Unlike groceries, restaurant meals are taxed under the GST/HST, making them more expensive for consumers and adding pressure on foodservice businesses.
Removing the GST/HST from restaurant meals would ease costs for families and support an industry that employs over a million Canadians.
We urge the federal government to modernize its tax policy and exempt all food, including restaurant meals, from GST/HST to protect jobs and strengthen communities.
The GST/HST holiday showed us that removing the tax from restaurant meals stimulates the economy and protects jobs.
- 24,000 foodservice jobs created during the tax holiday—more than the 12 previous months combined 1
- Foodservice sales increased 8.3% in January 2
- Bankruptcies down 50% year-over-year 3
- 84% of Canadians say food should not be taxed, no matter where it is purchased
- Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada
- Monthly Survey of Food Services and Drinking Places, Statistics Canada
- Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy
- Spark*insight survey (Feb 13-19, 2025)
For many Canadians, buying a prepared meal—over their lunch break, while picking up the kids from practice, or because they can’t cook at home—is a necessity, not a luxury.
Taxing restaurant meals isn’t just outdated, it’s unfair.
Restaurants Canada is leading the push to remove the GST/HST on restaurant meals. This isn’t about luxuries. It’s about affordability, fairness, and supporting local restaurants that help our communities thrive.
Why now?
Life is unaffordable. Canadians need real and immediate relief from rising costs.
Removing the GST/HST from restaurant meals is one way to bring down costs for Canadians and help them get ahead.