William Dale – Local Journalism Initiative
Published online September 9, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
MRC PONTIAC — This summer, residents or visitors picking up groceries or stocking up on household supplies in Quebec saw a slight drop in their final bill on specific everyday items.
Under a new tax policy introduced by the provincial government in May, Quebec officially removed the 9.975% Quebec Sales Tax (QST) from select single-serving foods, basic snacks, and essential paper products. The change took effect on July 15, 2026. Here is what local shoppers need to know about what’s changed, why it’s happening, and how it impacts local stores.
What items are now tax-free?
While basic groceries like milk, vegetables, and bread are already untaxed, the new rules expand the QST exemption to several items that previously carried the tax:
Single-serving foods: Individually packaged ice cream, pre-packaged single baked goods (like muffins or cookies), and individual puddings; Pre-cut produce: Prepared fruit platters, cut fruit, and pre-packaged vegetable trays; Snacks: Salted or seasoned nuts and seeds, trail mixes, and snack bars made with oats, seeds, or dried fruit; and Paper essentials: Toilet paper and facial tissues.
Why the shift now?
The decision comes as part of a provincial push to give households a break on routine purchases amid rising everyday costs. In response to questions from The Pontiac Journal, Finance Ministry spokesperson Charles-Étienne Bélisle explained that the government deliberately targeted universal items that regularly land in local shopping carts. “The zero-rating measure applies to products that households commonly purchase at grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores to support Quebecers in the current context of rising cost of living,” Bélisle said.
When asked why toilet paper and tissues were selected over other household goods, the ministry noted that non-food options were evaluated, but officials chose to focus tightly on universal items. “The possibility of zero-rating other non-food items was considered, but it was decided to limit the measure to toilet paper and facial tissues, as these are basic necessities purchased by all households,” Bélisle added.
What it means for local retailers
For local independent grocers, corner stores, and general merchants, the new rules required updating point-of-sale register systems to ensure QST is automatically removed at checkout. The ministry confirmed that business owners were given a seven-week window following the May announcement to update their software. “It is the responsibility of retail vendors, both large and small, to ensure that eligible items are correctly treated as zero-rated,” Bélisle said, describing the register update as a “simple, one-time administrative adjustment.”
Residents can find the full itemized breakdown of zero-rated products in Information Bulletin 2026-4 on the Ministère des Finances website.