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Canada’s GST holiday is already almost over, with the tax break set to end in less than two weeks.

This limited-time deal from the federal government lets Canadians skip paying the goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST) on a deceptively wide range of items.

While many people seem to think it’s just about groceries and kids’ stuff, there’s actually way more to this deal than meets the eye. From sneaky savings on luxury expenses to unexpected tax-free treasures for your hobbies, there are plenty of ways Quebecers can stretch their dollars during the tax break.

Even though Quebec doesn’t use HST, meaning shoppers here can only save the GST portion of the sales tax, that 5% can still add up, especially on big-ticket items — making this the perfect time to stock up on items you’ve been eyeing but hesitant to splurge on.

With just a handful of days left until the tax break ends on February 15, here are seven GST-free purchases you might not know qualify — and they’re definitely worth grabbing before the tax holiday ends.

Restaurant meals

Dining out or grabbing takeout might feel like a splurge, but for the next few weeks, it’s a splurge you can feel a bit better about. Whether it’s dine-in, takeout or delivery — at any restaurant from fast food to fancy date-night spot — you won’t pay the GST on your order.

This even extends to your delivery order through apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Skip, which we all know can add up quick. Just keep in mind that the service fee from the app itself will still have tax on it.

Alcohol

While hard liquor like vodka and whisky are still taxed, wine, beer, cider and coolers are included in the GST holiday.

Given that alcohol keeps well, stocking up on your favourites now means you can save a chunk of change. It’s also a great time to splurge on that special bottle you’ve been wanting to try, or just to have handy for future celebrations.

Shoes

Here’s a fun shopping hack: While the official list of tax-exempt items only includes children’s footwear, even if you don’t have any kids to shop for, many kids’ sizes actually overlap with adult ones.

If you wear a women’s size 8 (which is equivalent to a kids’ size 6.5) or smaller, you can also cash in on this deal — assuming your preferred shoe comes in kids’ sizes, of course. While it might be hard to find a fancy pair of heels or another more mature shoe style, if you’re in the market for sneakers, winter boots or slides, this could be the hack you didn’t know you needed.

Plus, kids’ shoes are already typically cheaper than their adult counterparts. Double savings? Yes, please!

Gaming consoles

If you’ve been eyeing a new console, now’s the time to make the leap. Not only are the consoles themselves GST-free, but controllers and physical games (like cartridges and discs) are too.

With some consoles costing over $1,000 these days, that could mean savings of $50 or more. This is your chance to upgrade your gaming setup at a discount — without having to wait 10 more months till Black Friday rolls back around.

Books

Pretty much all physical books — including physical copies of audiobooks like CDs and tapes — are eligible for the tax break, so you can skip the GST on your whole 2025 reading list. From cookbooks to the latest bestselling fiction, now’s the time to stock up and save on self-care.

Jigsaw puzzles

Speaking of self-care, what’s more relaxing than a jigsaw puzzle? They’re a relaxing hobby for all ages, and right now, you won’t pay GST on them (even ones marketed toward adults). Whether you’ve been wanting to take up this new hobby or add to your growing puzzle collection, this is the perfect excuse.

Christmas trees

Okay, this might be a controversial take, but now might just be the best time to buy a Christmas tree (an artificial one, that is). While it might sound odd to already be planning for next Christmas in February, with so many post-Christmas deals on, now could be your chance to save two times over and be ready extra early for next year’s festivities.

Whatever you plan to splurge on, keep in mind that the GST holiday wraps up on February 15 — so don’t wait too long to cash in on these unexpected savings!

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AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog’s Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.

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Christmas might be over, but Montreal’s winter lights scene is still glowing. And there’s no better way to soak up the magic than with a free Valentine’s Day stroll through downtown’s illuminated trail.

With over 800,000 twinkling lights and nine elaborate installations, the aptly named “Welcome to Wonder” is a winter spectacle waiting to be explored. Whether you’re heading out with your better half, best friends, or just on your own, this dreamy trail is worth checking out.

The series of displays, put together by Montréal Centre-Ville, takes folks through some of the city’s most iconic spots. The walk takes about an hour, but it could go longer as you’ll likely stop to snap a million photos along the way.

Over at Dorchester Square, you’ll find glowing light spheres, an illuminated bridge, and even a pair of giant moose. Phillips Square is where you’ll see the Birks building and The Bay shimmering in golden lights, with a glowing archway leading to a group of stunning deer sculptures.

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And if you want that ultimate fairytale vibe, Victoria Square has a tunnel of glowing archways and 43 hanging light structures that’ll transport you straight into a magical winter dream.

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Organizers of the project, which launched back in November, say the light displays were put up to add “warmth” to the longest season of the year. And given the weather we’ve been having, every bulb counts.

“With the downtown winter lights, we’re adding a bit of warmth and magic to the long winter nights. We’re especially proud to showcase our public spaces and downtown heritage,” noted Glenn Castanheira, general director of Montréal Centre-Ville in a press release. “This winter, any excuse is a good one to stroll under the glowing lights while enjoying everything downtown has to offer.”

But why stop at just the lights? You can also make a night of it by grabbing a warm drink from a cozy café, browsing a few downtown boutiques, or capping things off with a romantic dinner.

The illuminated trail will be sticking around until March, so if you can’t make it on Valentine’s Day, you still have time to take it all in.

To help plan your visit, a detailed map of the trail is available, outlining all the must-see stops along the route.

Welcome to Wonder features nine elaborate displays across town. Montréal Centre-Ville | Submitted to MTL Blog

Welcome to Wonder

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Price: Free

When: Until March 10

Where: Nine downtown locations:

• Dorchester Square
• Place du Canada
• Mary Queen of the World Cathedral
• McGill College Avenue / Place Ville Marie
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Square Phillips
• Place Jean-Paul Riopelle
• Square Victoria
• Place Monseigneur-Charbonneau

Montreal Centre-Ville website

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AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog’s Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.