Manitoba Budget 2026 misses opportunity to make all food more affordable

This section is Partnership Content suppliedThe content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Article contentToronto, March 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today’s Manitoba budget fails to exempt all food, including restaurant meals, from provincial sales tax (PST) to make life more affordable for Manitobans.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentCanadians are struggling with rising living costs. Unlike groceries, restaurant meals are subject to PST in Manitoba, making them more expensive for consumers and adding pressure on foodservice businesses. While the government has announced an exemption from PST for prepared meals sold in grocery stores, the measure ignores that Manitobans regularly look to restaurants for quick and convenient meals for families on the go.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“Manitobans need and deserve support on affordability, but it must be delivered in a way that is fair and protects jobs. Manitobans should not be taxed on rotisserie chicken sold in a restaurant if the same product is going to be exempt from PST in a grocery store,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Exempting prepared meals sold at grocery stores from PST, but not those sold at restaurants, would hurt consumers while putting restaurant businesses and their workers at risk.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentRemoving the PST from restaurant meals would ease costs for families and support an industry that employs over 42,800 Manitobans, including 19,000 youth. These are critical jobs for communities, especially as they struggle with higher unemployment, affordability and continued economic uncertainty. Article contentManitoba’s restaurants drive $3.5B in sales in each year. Every $1M in revenue at a restaurant produces nearly 12 jobs, compared to fewer than four at a grocery store. Across Canada, 44% of restaurants are currently operating at a loss or breaking even, as operating costs continue to rise while consumers are pulling back on restaurant spending.Article contentArticle content“We recognize the need for broad affordability measures to help Manitobans struggling with the cost of living, but restaurants should not be left out,” added Higginson. “Many Manitobans depend on restaurants for their daily meals, as well as for their livelihoods. We call on the Manitoba government to include restaurant meals in the planned PST exemption.”Article contentAbout Restaurants CanadaRestaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a $125 billion industry employing 1.2 million Canadians and the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada. Visit restaurantscanada.org for more information.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentMilena Stanoeva Restaurants Canada 6479211758 media@restaurantscanada.org Article contentTrending Posthaste: Canada's troubled housing market just got hit with another headwind News JPMorgan sees 'national security risk' in old grid networks PMN Business Oil and gas supply chain is about to snap, warns energy economist Peter Tertzakian Oil & Gas National Bank CEO pushes for Keystone XL revival and Eastern energy corridor Oil & Gas Despite growing financial pressures, Canadians are still reliably paying their mortgages Mortgages Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Posthaste: Canada's troubled housing market just got hit with another headwind News JPMorgan sees 'national security risk' in old grid networks PMN Business Oil and gas supply chain is about to snap, warns energy economist Peter Tertzakian Oil & Gas National Bank CEO pushes for Keystone XL revival and Eastern energy corridor Oil & Gas Despite growing financial pressures, Canadians are still reliably paying their mortgages Mortgages