Northwest Territories Issues Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Discussion Paper

The Northwest Territories has released “Using the Tax System to Encourage Healthy Choices: Implementing a Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax in the Northwest Territories,” which is a discussion paper outlining the proposed introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The government is examining whether the introduction of such a tax will reduce consumption of sugary drinks in the territory, curbing obesity and improving oral health among residents.

The proposed tax would apply based on container sizes for all sugar-sweetened beverages, including carbonated, non-carbonated, fountain, and pre-packaged drinks.