GST holiday a ‘giant mess,’ some businesses say [Video]

The organization representing small and medium size businesses in Canada says the start to the GST and HST holiday has been “a giant mess.”

“It has been a very messy start to the GST/HST holiday across the country. A lot of merchants aren’t sure whether this is mandatory, whether this is something they’re even able to do. They’re trying to field consumer questions. It’s a giant mess,” said Dan Kelly, chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Kelly said he had been speaking with officials in Ottawa — both at CRA and finance — to seek clarity and pass that along to business owners.

“It’s legislated. It is supposed to be mandatory, but the but basically, the government —CRA and finance — are saying, ‘We’re not planning to rigidly enforce this. So do your best,’” said Kelly.

Amber Hagans, the director of operations at Toymasters in Brandon, …