"...exemption on the necessities..." My apologies. I did not know clothing and shelter would be exempt. Food is exempt here in Canada, but clothing and shelter are not, and we buy a heck of a lot more clothes and shelter than many south of us. Of course, the rules on food are convoluted. EG: If you buy a package of six muffins, no tax. If one or two muffins are bought, most likely by a single person, such as a senior citizen living alone on a fixed income, tax is due.

All I am saying is that the sales tax will not preclude other taxes such as federal income, provincial income, fuel, property, vehicle registration, any licenses...