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House Bill

Bill C-218

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 16, 2021
An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (psychotherapy services)
  • This bill, known as Bill C-218, aims to amend the Excise Tax Act in Canada. The amendment specifically focuses on exempting psychotherapy services from the goods and services tax. Currently, these services are subject to the tax, but if this bill passes, they will be made exempt. The purpose of this exemption is to make psychotherapy services more accessible and affordable for individuals seeking mental health support.
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • Steelman argument in favor of Bill C-218: Exempting psychotherapy services from the goods and services tax is a necessary step towards ensuring the accessibility and affordability of mental health services for all Canadians. Psychotherapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals address and manage their mental health issues, and it should be treated as an essential healthcare service. By exempting psychotherapy services from the goods and services tax, this legislation would remove a financial barrier that often prevents individuals from seeking the help they need. Many people already struggle to afford therapy sessions, and the additional burden of taxes only exacerbates this issue. By eliminating the tax, more individuals would be able to access psychotherapy services, ultimately leading to better mental health outcomes for Canadians. Furthermore, recognizing psychotherapy as an essential healthcare service through the exemption

SteelmanSpren Against

  • A possible steelman argument opposing this bill could be: "It is important to maintain consistent taxation policies across various professional services in order to promote fairness and avoid creating a precedent for exemptions. While psychotherapy services may provide important mental health support, granting them an exemption from the goods and services tax would create an imbalance and potentially unfair advantage compared to other healthcare professionals and services that are not exempt. This could result in a loss of tax revenue for the government and potentially disrupt the overall tax structure. It is essential to ensure that any exemptions or changes to taxation laws are carefully considered and do not inadvertently create inequality or favoritism within the healthcare sector."
House First Reading
  • Dec. 16, 2021, 10 a.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read