This week Canada Post Corp issued a special stamp to publicize mental health. "Support mental health or I'll kill you!" -- just kidding.
If you want to buy one, it'll cost you an extra 10¢, which goes (it says here) to the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. (Do the words "going postal" mean anything to anyone?)
So far so good, right? But get this. Just as you pay GST on a postage stamp -- Canada is one of about three countries in the world that adds a tax to a tax -- so you have to pay GST on your 10¢ donation! A book of 10 mental health stamps will cost you $6.40 + 32¢ GST, total $6.72. Only in Canada you say?!
If you want to support the struggle for better mental health, Walt suggests you make a donation to a registered charity. You'll get a receipt for income tax purposes...and you won't have to pay GST!
Not sure I understand why this post has suddenly resurfaced after more than four years. But if ever Canada Post needed brickbats tossed its way, now is the time. Effective 31/3/14 -- should be a day later -- the rate for domestic postage goes up from 63 cents to a Canadian dollar (92 cents in real money). Plus tax of course!
ReplyDeleteTo make matters worse -- as if they could get worse -- CanPost says it will end door-to-door delivery in the near future. This is so senior and disabled people can get more exercise by walking to "group mailboxes". Isn't that swell?