ST. ANDREW’S, Grenada — August 23, 2026 — New National Party (NNP) Leader Emmalin Pierre has sharply criticized the Dickon Mitchell administration’s temporary VAT-free shopping initiative, arguing that the measure does little to address the deeper cost-of-living pressures facing ordinary Grenadians.

Speaking last night at a public rally held alongside her 50th birthday celebration in St. Andrew, Pierre challenged the Government’s decision to introduce two VAT-free shopping days each month from August through October as part of an EC$18 million Cost of Living Assistance Program.

The Government says the package is intended to provide immediate relief to households and businesses. The VAT-free initiative allows eligible goods—including groceries, clothing, appliances, school supplies, electronics, furniture and building materials—to be sold at zero VAT by participating businesses. The first VAT-free period is scheduled for August 28–29.

But Pierre questioned whether the measure would provide meaningful relief to families who are already struggling financially.

“Two-day VAT exemption is an embarrassment to the people of this country,” she told supporters. “No temporary measure can address the pain that the people of this country have felt in the last four years.”

Pierre argued that the principal problem is not simply the price of goods, but whether ordinary people have enough disposable income to purchase them in the first place.

“People can only shop when the money is in their pocket,” she said, challenging the Government’s approach of encouraging consumers to purchase appliances and other household items during the VAT-free periods.

She questioned who would ultimately benefit most from the initiative, saying: “The people who are going to benefit most from the two-day VAT-free shopping are the people who have money in their pockets.”

Instead, Pierre called on the Government to get more money circulating among ordinary Grenadians, including contractors, farmers and young people.

“Release the monies of the country to the ordinary people of this country,” she urged. “Release the money to the contractors who cannot get a day’s work. Release the money to the farmers. Release the monies to the young people of this country.”

The Government’s wider relief package also includes electricity and fuel measures, with officials saying the program is targeted and fiscally affordable.

Pierre, however, said Grenadians need longer-term solutions rather than short-term interventions.

“People need real relief,” she declared, promising that an NNP administration would pursue “long-term strategies and measures that are going to make a difference in the lives of people forever.”

Her remarks put the cost of living and household purchasing power at the center of the emerging political debate as Grenada moves toward its next general election, constitutionally due by 2027.