Netflix users (so, everybody) brace yourselves! The streaming giant just announced that their monthly prices are going up yet again. Beginning this summer, Netflix Canada will be adding GST and/or HST charges to bills “due to recent changes in Canada’s tax law.”
The news came in an email update sent to all Netflix Canada subscribers. In the email, Netflix notified users of upcoming changes, stating that they will apply “on your next bill on or after July 1st, 2021.”
The tax law in question is in reference to the announcement made by the federal government last year stating that foreign multinationals would need to collect GST or HST on digital products and services, just as Canadian companies are already required to do.
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The pricing will vary by province and/or territory based on applicable tax rates in each area. Specific prices have not been released just yet, however it’s possible that, for example, in British Columbia, where the total tax rate is currently 12% (7% PST + 5% GST) customers will see different price totals than folks in Ontario, where the tax rate is currently 13% HST. Lucky folks in Alberta may only have their 5% GST rate impacting their pricing, while those in Nova Scotia might have to deal with their 15% HST rate.
You can learn more about the upcoming price changes through the Netflix Canada Help Centre.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Netflix has upped their prices in recent years. In late 2020, the streaming giant tacked an additional one dollar to the price of the standard monthly plan (causing the cost to go from $13.99 to $14.99) and two dollars to the premium plan (from $16.99 to $18.99).
In 2018, both the standard plan and the premium plan went up by $3 (from $10.99 to $13.99 and from $13.99 to $16.99 respectively). At that time, the basic plan also increased by one dollar, from $8.99 to $9.99 a month.
Prior to that, Netflix Canada had last changed their pricing in 2016. In those days, a standard plan with the streaming company would only put you out $7.99 – $9.99 per month. Oof, how times have changed!
So, will this price increase change your relationship with the streaming giant? Will this be the final straw in ending your love affair with binge-watching? Or is the new tax law just the price to pay for endless entertainment? Sound off in the comments.
