Tax on new phones

I don't know the exact reason but I'd assume part of it is that Telus had to pay the full tax on the phones when they bought them. On Telus' website the Terms state:

Terms and conditions

3. Subject to approved credit with a 24-month TELUS Easy PaymentⓇ agreement (0% APR) on any in-market plan with data and voice included. TELUS Easy PaymentⓇ balance will be repaid over a 24 month period via equal monthly payments. Payment of any outstanding TELUS Easy PaymentⓇ balance due upon termination, or account transfer. Applicable taxes are calculated based on the total no term price less any device discounts and must be paid in full at the time of purchase. Pay-per-use charges (including long distance, roaming and additional airtime or data) are extra. Device purchased on the Bring it Back program must be returned in good working condition or you will be responsible for the difference between the Bring-it-Back program amount and the lower trade-in value for a device that is not in good working condition. Trade-in standards published at the time a device is returned will apply. Applicable sales taxes are due at time of purchase on the full purchase price. You will not be charged tax on the Bring-It-Back Program Amount if you choose to keep your device and pay back the Bring-It-Back Program Amount at, or before, the end of the 24 month term. Bring-It-Back program is only available while you subscribe to mobility service. If mobility service is cancelled before the end of the term, the Bring-It-Back Program Amount will be charged to your TELUS bill.