THE Province announced on Friday that it is pausing the planned expansion of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) to professional services.
Government said that in response to new and ongoing international trade disruptions and the economic uncertainty they are creating, it intends to delay the PST expansion to professional services that had been scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
“There’s a time to stay the course and there’s a time to adjust. This is a time to adjust,” said Premier David Eby. “Delaying these changes until well after Trump’s disastrous trade war is over will give businesses some breathing room as they navigate tariffs and bans while pivoting to other markets.”
Savings for people, local governments and businesses is estimated at approximately $260 million in 2026-27.
“Businesses and communities need more flexibility at this time to be able to invest, adapt and grow,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Finance. “Pausing the PST expansion will protect jobs and help local governments that use professional services manage their costs of delivering infrastructure and community services.”
Quick Facts:
* The PST expansion on professional services will be paused through a temporary regulation.
* As a result, the PST exemption will be maintained on professional services businesses, including accounting and bookkeeping, architectural, geoscientist and engineering services, non-residential real estate commissions and services, and security and private investigation services.
