Saskatchewan government decides to end PST on feminine hygiene products

SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan government is following a decision by Ottawa and ending its tax on feminine hygiene products.

Saskatchewan Finance Minister Kevin Doherty says the provincial sales tax will be removed from products starting July 1.

It’s the same day the exemption begins for the federal government’s goods and services tax.

The House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion sponsored by the New Democrats in May calling for the change.

Opponents have criticized the so-called tampon tax as being discriminatory against women.

Quebec announced last week that it would also follow suit with its provincial tax on the products.

Doherty said the Saskatchewan government believes removing the tampon tax “is the right thing to do.”

“Our government has a record of keeping taxes low and being tax competitive with other jurisdictions,” he said in a release.

Doherty added that a retroactive legislative amendment to the Provincial Sales Tax Act will be introduced in the fall to finalize the change.