Output Stream of Consciousness

I didn't even notice it creeping up on us: the GST has been reduced from 7% to 6% here, just on the Canada Day weekend.

We first encountered it waiting in line behind a couple of people making returns at a store. We wondered why it was taking such a long time, but eventually puzzled out from the conversation that since the GST had changed, they actually had to refund and then re-buy the purchases in their system. The GST had changed? Oh!

Harper says he'll reduce it to 5%. It's good to know; hopefully we can afford it, mind you, since the 7% GST originally replaced a 9% 'hidden' manufacturer's tax. The money, as they say, has to come from somewhere.

We'll enjoy the break on large purchases, of course.

Places that already factor the GST into their prices to get nice round numbers probably aren't going to change their prices, of course. Didn't notice a whit of difference downstairs at the in-building convenience store :)