The provincial government is scrapping the so-called sugar tax, and will expand the shingles vaccination program to all those 50 and older.

The contentious sugar tax was introduced with an aim to reduce the consumption of excess sugar.

The 20 cent per litre levy on sugary drinks has long been seen as a grab by critics and adding to affordability pressures. The Opposition has been calling for its removal since it came into effect in September of 2022.

Since then, the tax has resulted in tens of millions of dollars in revenue for the province.

Premier John Hogan responded to a question in the House of Assembly from Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham by saying he’s asked that the tax be repealed.

Hogan says the province will deliver shingles vaccines to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians 50 and older and said that “affordability is a very important issue to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and I’ve already written a letter to the Finance Minister to ask her to repeal the sugar tax to deal with affordability issues.”