Businesses, shoppers react as federal government’s GST holiday takes effect

A temporary federal tax break on some goods and services that went into effect Saturday received mixed reactions from businesses and consumers, with shoppers welcoming the relief, while some businesses lamented the additional cost of implementing the last-minute measure.The two-month tax break on the GST and, in applicable provinces, HST, covers groceries, holiday essentials and other products such as children’s toys, books, and restaurant meals.