CFIB is calling on business owners to add their voice to the petition and help drive change.
Winnipeg, MB – March 26, 2026 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on Manitoba businesses to take action by signing CFIB’s petition urging the provincial government to fix gaps in its Provincial Sales Tax (PST) grocery exemption and ensure small shops and restaurants are treated fairly.
While the province’s decision to remove PST on grocery items is intended to improve affordability, CFIB warns the current design risks creating a two-tier system that disadvantages small, local businesses.
Under the current policy, many independent grocers, convenience stores, and restaurants will still be required to charge PST on food and prepared items, while similar products sold at larger grocery stores will be exempt. CFIB says this will distort consumer behaviour and shift sales away from small businesses already facing significant cost pressures.
“Right now, we’re looking at a situation where the same product could be tax-free at a large grocery store but still taxed at a small convenience store or restaurant,” said Brianna Solberg, CFIB’s Director for the Prairies and the North. “That’s not just confusing for customers—it’s fundamentally unfair to the small businesses that anchor our communities.”
To address the unfairness in this policy, CFIB’s petition calls on the Manitoba government to extend the new grocery PST exemption to apply at all food retailers and eliminate the PST on dine-in and takeout restaurant meals.
Recent CFIB data shows many small business owners in Manitoba already feel overlooked. According to CFIB’s October 2025 Your Voice Survey, 70% do not believe the provincial government has a plan to support them.
“This is a chance for Manitoba’s small businesses to have their voice heard,” said Solberg. “If the goal is to make food more affordable, it should be done in a way that applies fairly across the board.”
CFIB is encouraging small businesses to sign the petition and help push for changes before the policy takes effect.
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Brianna Solberg, CFIB
306-713-8071
Brianna.Solberg@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.