NDP Pledges to Remove HST on Kids’ Essentials as Families Face Soaring Costs
- NL NDP
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
For Immediate Release
September 3, 2025
Parents to save 10¢ per dollar on clothes, shoes, cloth diapers & more
With families across Newfoundland and Labrador facing rising costs on everything from housing to power bills, the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party (NL NDP) is committing to cutting the provincial portion of the HST from children’s essentials. This measure will put money back in parents’ pockets at a time when back-to-school bills and everyday expenses are straining household budgets.
Announced today by NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn and NDP Candidate for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, an NL NDP government would remove the provincial sales tax from children’s essentials such as clothing, car seats, and footwear.
“Parents are doing their best to provide for their kids, but right now many are stretched to the breaking point,” said NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn. “When you’re standing at the checkout and wondering how you’ll cover everything from school supplies to winter clothes, every dollar counts. Cutting the HST on children’s essentials is a simple step that will make life more affordable for families.”
Dinn noted that while the Liberal and Conservative parties have consistently voted against measures to ease these costs, the NDP has been pushing for practi
cal solutions.
Madison Acker, a young parent, joined Dinn and O’Leary, warning that families are at the breaking point and demanding the government step up to ease their burden.“A lot of my friends and peers look around at the state of our economy and feel that they can’t afford to have children. When I think about all of the challenges parents are facing with affordability, whether it's affordable housing or childcare, this is just one measure to try to make things easier,” said Acker. “Young people like me want to have families and raise them here, but it needs to be affordable - something we can realistically do.”
Zemia Taher, instructor and coordinator of Newbornlander's Sewing Hope program, praised initiatives like this, stating how much it would benefit not only parents, but local businesses.
“We strongly support this, as it will help families afford to buy more sustainably and well made products,” said Taher. “At Newbornlander, we manufacture locally with products that are safe. We recognize this comes with higher cost, causing our products to be higher in price. Removing the tax will make it easier for parents to access not only safer, more durable items for their children, but be able to support local businesses like Newbornlander.”
“This is about priorities,” said Dinn. “An NDP government will put families first by making sure they can afford the basics their kids need to grow and thrive. Parents shouldn’t be paying extra tax just to get their children to school safely or keep them clothed and cared for. Families deserve a better deal and we’re ready to deliver.”
The NL NDP says this policy is part of their broader plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and ensure families in every corner of the province have the support they need.
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For more information, please contact communications@nlndp.ca