Premier Kinew Refuses Meeting With Restaurants Canada Over PST Plan

Premier Wab Kinew refused requests to meet with Restaurants Canada regarding a provincial tax plan affecting prepared meals in Manitoba ^[1].

The dispute centers on a perceived lack of equity in how the province taxes food. By exempting certain prepared meals from the provincial sales tax (PST), the government may be shifting consumer demand away from traditional dining establishments toward retail chains.

According to the 2026 budget ^[1], the plan exempts prepared meals sold in grocery and convenience stores from PST. However, the tax continues to apply to the same types of products when they are sold by restaurants ^[1].

Restaurants Canada argues that this policy creates an uneven playing field. The industry group suggests the plan provides a financial advantage to grocery giants and convenience-store chains, while placing a heavier tax burden on independent and chain restaurants ^[1].

"Restaurants Canada is deeply disappointed that Premier Wab Kinew has refused requests to meet regarding the Manitoba government's plan to exempt prepared meals sold in grocery and convenience stores from PST while continuing to apply the tax to the same products sold by restaurants," a spokesperson for Restaurants Canada said ^[1].

The industry group sought a direct dialogue with the premier to discuss the implications of the tax structure on the hospitality sector. The refusal to meet has intensified the friction between the provincial government and food service operators in Winnipeg and across the province ^[1].