Canada 
Alberta 
British Columbia 
Manitoba
New Brunswick 
Newfoundland Labrador 
Nova Scotia 
Ontario 
Prince Edward Island 
Quebec 
Saskatchewan 
United States 
Belgium
France 
Italy 
Switzerland
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
×
Elsewhere
Elsewhere
A new “soda tax”? Are you in favour?
Last Thursday, the Quebec-based Weight Coalition testified before the House of Commons health committee to advocate a new 1 % tax on soft drinks and energy drinks to help pay for the fight against obesity. The Weight Coalition is also calling for a ban on the sale of soft drinks and energy drinks in all federal buildings across Canada. (By the way, the city of Toronto is already banishing soft and energy drinks from vending machines in its community centres and arenas.)
Read Meagan Fitzpatrick’s point of view in the National Post.
What do you think about it?
Author
Cinzia Cuneo, founder of SOSCuisine.com, never wanted to neglect the quality of her food. She shares her special expertise to make good food quickly and without complications!
Meagan Fitzpatrick also wrote an article on soda tax last year:
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=fcec3fba-ea03-4515-9fd1-6cf4d49a710c&p=1
I think the point that such taxes “disproportionately affect low-income people” is an important one, so I’d be keen on seeing how poorer households would be compensated (I’m not a fan of taxing the poor) and how we’d all be encouraged to eat healthier.
If this is the first baby step in a larger plan, then great let’s see it, but I’m skeptical as to how a soda tax can do much good on its own. Plus, if it’s implemented and fails, I fear it could leave a sour taste in people’s mouths for any future food reform.
I think it’s a great idea. It doesn’t matter what income bracket you’re in, soda is a poor beverage choice. It’d be nice to see the soda tax income be used to subsidize fruits and vegetables.
I really think the last thing low income or any socioeconomic group should be spending their “food” dollars on is “garbage food”. The tax can be used to help defray the health care costs of the obese i.e. heart/stroke, diabetes, joint replacement, cholesterol, cancer etc.
Do we not have subsidies on corn to keep up with the US corn subsidies? Lobby the US gov’t to get rid of theirs & get rid of ours & watch the price of corn syrup & soda rise. Why tax something we’re essentially subsidizing?