SASKATOON — Janel Edwards stood behind the counter of their family-owned shop, which sells second-hand and recycled clothes for expectant mothers and their babies. The mother of two-year-old twins gladly chatted with another mom who had just come in while one of their staff was arranging clothes.
It was a relatively slow Wednesday, Sept. 11, afternoon when she joined Saskatchewan-NDP Leader Carla Beck and other opposition members for a short media briefing. They discussed the impact of the Sask Party government’s decision to increase the provincial sales tax from five to six percent to include children’s clothing, restaurant meals and construction services almost seven years ago.
Edwards knows how the PST on children’s clothing impacts families, especially first-time parents struggling to make ends meet. Two years ago, she decided to open Reclaim Maternity, Baby, and Kids Clothing, which also serves as a drop-off for people who want to donate items to other charitable organizations in the city.
Edwards said she thought of Reclaim Maternity after giving birth to their twins. She experienced firsthand how costly clothes are for pregnant mothers, babies, and toddlers, so the idea of the store was very close to her heart. Her business is more than a store; it helps other organizations with customers who can donate to struggling families and use and host a peer-parent group to discuss their lives outside the house.
“We sell primarily second-hand and sustainable clothing, gear and accessories for pregnant people and kids from birth to 10 years old. We have the province's largest selection of premature newborn clothing. Even with all that [customer] traffic, it is still a struggle for our small business,” said Edwards.
“As a millennial parent raising two kids and owning a family-centred business in this province, I can tell you firsthand how heartbreaking it is to work daily to make ends meet. I chat with countless parents daily who struggle to make ends meet, feed and dress their families because of the heartless policies of the kid's clothes tax.”
That’s why Beck’s proposal to remove the PST on kids’ clothing if the NDP is ever given the chance to form a government will be welcome news to families. It will save them more than $20 million annually. The tax break could be implemented in time for the Christmas season.
Edwards added that she has also spoken with other small business owners, who are frustrated and heartbroken. They share the same sentiment that she had, seeing the impact of PSTs on children’s clothes to struggling families.
“Our province could help many families by removing the PST from kids' expensive clothes. As mothers, we can and will juggle almost anything, but having one less ball will be a natural relief. This tax change is inclusive and focused on families’ common sense, and I know it will help many young families,” she said.
Beck said Saskatchewan has no problem with its revenues but with the priorities and financial mismanagement of the Saskatchewan Party-led provincial government.
“This is within reach in the province and must be done to address the pressures the Saskatchewan families face. This is something that the SaskParty has chosen not to do. We prioritize families and the services the Saskatchewan people care about the most. We will put our resources into those priorities, not into junkets and misspent priorities, as we have seen the SaskParty repeatedly do,” said Beck.
