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Chips, rotisserie chickens and other foods go provincial sales tax-free in Manitoba
The NDP government says the change will save the average Manitoba family about $100 a year.
Starting today, July 1, 2026, Manitoba removed the seven per cent PST from store-bought food, eliminating the tax on items such as chips, rotisserie chicken, and baked goods sold at grocery and convenience stores.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew promoted the tax relief plan on March 25, 2026, during a news conference inside a Winnipeg grocery store, signaling the government's commitment to reducing food costs for residents.
The NDP government estimates the change could save the average family $100 a year, while most groceries were already tax-exempt before this expansion of the exemption.
Business groups, including Restaurants Canada, argue the policy disadvantages restaurants, while the Opposition Progressive Conservatives claim the cut subsidizes junk food without helping family finances.
The PST remains charged on food sold at restaurants, bakeries, and bars, though the government indicated it will continually work with partners to review and improve the policy's results.