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Nova Scotia premier announces one point cut to HST, to 14 per cent, starting April 1

  • Keith Doucette

  • Canadian Press

  • October 23, 2024

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston speaks to reporters in Halifax, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Houston has announced the province will introduce a one percentage point cut to the harmonized sales tax on April 1 of next year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has announced a one percentage point cut to the harmonized sales tax starting April 1.

Houston made the announcement today as speculation mounts about a snap election call in the coming days.

The premier says the cut to the provincial portion of the tax would reduce it from 15 per cent to 14 per cent.

Houston says his government is making the move because people need more help with the cost of living.

A one percentage point reduction to the HST is expected to cost about $260.8 million next fiscal year.

The department says the HST brings in $2.7 billion or 17.1 per cent of provincial revenues, second only to personal income taxes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2024.