GST relief announcement generates mixed reaction in B.C. [Video]

While Canadians no doubt welcome the announcement that the federal government is giving most residents a GST break over the holidays, B.C.’s local small business community has concerns about how this will work during the busy season.

“Any time the government wants to cut taxes, that’s a good thing,” Dan Kelly, president, CEO and chair of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business told Global News.

“At the same time, this comes with a whole bunch of administrative complexity and questions and uncertainty that small business owners will be grappling with.”

Kelly said some businesses will have to reprogram their point of sale machines, twice and navigating the list of products that are part of the exemption could be confusing.

“We’re already getting questions about which products are in or out,” he added. “And then, of course, there is the administrative process that most small business …