Senator Black: Senator Gold, we know that bars and restaurants were deeply impacted by the pandemic. Further increases in alcohol tax will increase their already-high operating costs, and will reduce their ability to attract customers and retain employees as these businesses continue to work to survive. I would like to highlight that the escalator tax not only impacts the hospitality sector, but also the agriculture and agri-food sector, other supply-chain members and consumers.

I think many of you would agree that now is not the time to increase alcohol taxes on Canadians, or on our struggling restaurants, bars and domestic alcohol producers.

Senator Gold, as we all know in this chamber, the government is already working on measures to implement Budget 2023. In the interests of saving all Canadians money, will you ensure your government is aware of this issue, and remind them of this chamber’s amendment in 2017, as they prepare for their upcoming budget implementation act in 2023?