NDP leader Thomas Mulcair released Stephen Harper Conservatives’ plans to hike import taxes on saris and spices from India, which will hurt South Asian small businesses and consumers. “Stephen Harper has his priorities all wrong. With more than $90 million being wasted on the scandal-plagued Senate every year, the Conservatives are busy waging war on butter chicken,” said Mulcair.
BRAMPTON – NDP leader Thomas Mulcair released Stephen Harper Conservatives’ plans to hike import taxes on saris and spices from India, which will hurt South Asian small businesses and consumers.
The NDP leader called on Harper to explain his plan to increase tariffs on thousands of imports from India, including a tax on saris and essential cooking spices.
Speaking to a roundtable in Brampton, Tom Mulcair said the NDP opposes the Conservative hikes on import taxes affecting saris and spices, citing his concern that it would hurt consumers and South Asian businesses, including clothing retailers, grocers, and restaurants. He brought the same message to Surrey on Thursday during a town hall meeting at the Sheraton Inn hotel.
“Stephen Harper has his priorities all wrong. With more than $90 million being wasted on the scandal-plagued Senate every year, the Conservatives are busy waging war on butter chicken,” said Mulcair.
While wasting tens of millions on an unelected, unaccountable and under-investigation Senate, the Conservatives increased tariffs on goods from India and 71 other countries.
The increases will cost Canadian importers and consumers $330 million annually. The tariffs on imports from India will include a 6% tax on saris and 3% on ground spices including tumeric, fennel, coriander and many others that are an essential part of South Asian cuisine.
“South Asians living in Canada, whether they own small businesses or plan to eat a home cooked meal, will feel the direct effects of Harper’s unfair tax hikes on saris and spices. It is simply unacceptable,” said Mulcair.
After speaking at a local restaurant, Mulcair toured the kitchen facilities where the manager and executive chef highlighted the importance of the taxed spices to South Asian cuisine and the impact that it will have on small business owners and consumers.
