Yeah, nobody here knows what's considered "essential" either because the rules are so stupid. For example, tampons and pads have always been subject to the 5% federal GST because they're considered "luxury" items (LOL, as if) but in Ontario and BC they're exempt from the new HST. Not that I buy those things anyway (yay for my Diva Cup!) but it's utterly confusing for everyone. I can't even imagine tourists trying to make sense of it.
There's also the famous doughnut example: If you go to Timmy Ho's and buy 5 doughnuts, you get charged both GST and PST. But if you buy a pack of 6 doughnuts, it's considered "groceries" and you only get charged PST.
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Date: 2010-08-23 11:22 pm (UTC)Yeah, nobody here knows what's considered "essential" either because the rules are so stupid. For example, tampons and pads have always been subject to the 5% federal GST because they're considered "luxury" items (LOL, as if) but in Ontario and BC they're exempt from the new HST. Not that I buy those things anyway (yay for my Diva Cup!) but it's utterly confusing for everyone. I can't even imagine tourists trying to make sense of it.
There's also the famous doughnut example: If you go to Timmy Ho's and buy 5 doughnuts, you get charged both GST and PST. But if you buy a pack of 6 doughnuts, it's considered "groceries" and you only get charged PST.
Welcome to Canada. :-)