OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is sounding the alarm over a large federal alcohol tax increase that is set to take effect in 100 days. 

“Ottawa’s alcohol tax bender needs to end,” said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the CTF. “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is rubbing margarita salt in the wound by using high inflation to binge on higher alcohol taxes.”

The federal government is increasing its alcohol excise taxes by 6.3 per cent on April 1, 2023. 

Taxes already account for about half of the price of beer, 65 per cent of the price of wine and more than three quarters of the price of spirits.

First passed in the 2017 federal budget, the alcohol escalator tax automatically increases excise taxes on beer, wine and spirits every year with inflation.

“This alcohol escalator tax hike is undemocratic and allows politicians to duck accountability,” said Terrazzano. “If politicians think Canadians aren’t paying enough tax, then they should have the spine to at least vote on the tax hike.”