News Release Archive
FINANCE--MINISTER APPLAUDS ZELLERS AND THE BAY DECISION ----------------------------------------------------------------- Finance Minister Bill Gillis is applauding the announcement that The Bay and Zellers will obey national and provincial laws requiring tax-included pricing on goods after April 7, 1997. Dr. Gillis said, "Zellers always argued that the lowest price was the law. In Nova Scotia on April 7, the full price is the law. I am pleased that this company and it's sister store, The Bay are agreeing to comply." In a release from company headquarters earlier today, company vice-president, Harold Chmara said, "It is not, nor has it ever been the intention of The Bay or Zellers to defy the laws governing the blending of the sales tax in Eastern Canada." Dr. Gillis said he was pleased to here that. "I think this is an important signal to the retail community that tax-included pricing will arrive on schedule this spring. Businesses who are genuinely trying to comply with the law, but need a bit more time to get their systems in place will not be the target of our initial compliance efforts. Full compliance monitoring will be in place as of Aug. 1, 1997." Dr. Gillis said, "The requirement to show the final price, including the tax, on the item on the shelf or on the bin is what consumers want. Survey after survey in Atlantic Canada has shown this to be the case. We welcome further efforts by the retail community to work with the government to come up with creative solutions to the challenge. "However, we also want to send a clear signal that the law is firm on this and it would not be fair to let some retailers gain an advantage over others." -30- Contact: Bruce Cameron 902-424-8787 trp Feb. 27, 1997 - 4:05 p.m.