Overview

• The provincial levy, introduced in September 2022, will be repealed on July 1, 2025, following Premier John Hogan’s decision last month
• Heart and Stroke Foundation–sponsored research tracked per-capita sales and found an 11.6% drop in taxed drink purchases compared with a 6.7% decline in neighbouring Maritime provinces
• Surveys of more than 1,200 residents before the tax and over 2,000 after showed 24% of respondents were less likely to buy sugary drinks under the levy
• Progressive Conservative legislators repeatedly criticised the tax for raising living costs and disproportionately impacting lower-income households
• Authors urge that any future beverage levies direct proceeds toward healthy food subsidies and nutrition programs for disadvantaged families