Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a two-month GST holiday on a range of items including beer, wine, restaurant meals, takeout, diapers, and children's clothing as part of a multibillion-dollar affordability package expected to kick in ahead of the holidays. Photo: Submitted

OTTAWA • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a two-month sales tax holiday on a range of items including beer, wine, restaurant meals, diapers, and children's clothing and toys as part of a multibillion-dollar affordability package expected to kick in ahead of the holidays. 

But the tax plan also may cost the Holt government tens of millions in lost provincial revenue. 

It’s a question Premier Susan Holt openly asked on Thursday, as the feds collect both the provincial and federal sales tax together in the form of the HST. 

A federal official has confirmed to Brunswick News that the entire 15 per cent of the HST will be removed from selected goods in New Brunswick for two months beginning Dec. 14. 

But there’s no agreement yet on what that means to foregone provincial revenues. 

Just five per cent of the HST is federal revenue. 

The remaining 10 per cent was to be remitted to the provincial government.

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Louis Godbout, executive director of Expansion Dieppe, shakes hands with Dario Montoni, president of Montoni Group. The City of Dieppe has entered an agreement where the Quebec-based Montoni Group will manage development of a new section of industrial park around the Greater Moncton Romeo-LeBlanc International Airport. Photo: Alan Cochrane/Brunswick News

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On Thursday, the International Criminal Court accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and Hamas officials of war crimes, issuing arrest warrants, Associated Press reported. The individuals are accused of crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict and the October 2023 attacks. This decision makes them internationally wanted suspects, potentially complicating ceasefire negotiations. However, the practical impact may be limited as Israel and its ally, the U.S., are not ICC members. Israeli leaders and President Joe Biden have condemned the warrants, while Hamas has also criticized them.

Canadians may experience a snowier winter this year, influenced by the La Nina weather pattern, which typically brings colder temperatures and more precipitation, Global News reported. Anthony Farnell, Global News meteorologist, notes that while La Nina's impact on Canada is uncertain, cooler conditions are expected, especially in British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of the Prairies. Most regions will see near-normal precipitation, with some areas experiencing above-average snowfall. However, fluctuations in temperature may lead to snow melting in certain provinces. Overall, ski resorts may benefit from improved conditions compared to last year.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the testing of a new intermediate-range missile, asserting it could be used against countries allowing Ukraine to use their missiles to strike Russia, Associated Press reported. This announcement followed Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory using Western missiles earlier this week. Putin pledged to provide warnings before future strikes to allow civilian evacuations, while claiming U.S. air defence systems would be ineffective against Russian missiles. Tensions have escalated, particularly after the U.S. authorized Ukraine to use longer-range missiles, prompting retaliatory strikes from Kyiv. Putin also introduced a doctrine permitting nuclear responses to conventional attacks supported by nuclear powers.

Who scored, who assisted and who played net? New Brunswick hockey rinks were busy this past week and we have the full roundup of youth hockey game results from around the province:

• Moncton to Miramichi

• Fredericton and western N.B.

• Sussex to St. Stephen

• Northern New Brunswick