Singh visits Campbell River foodbank as cost of living soars « Canada’s NDP

January 23, 2023 at 6:45 am  Federal, Politics

CAMPBELL RIVER – On Monday, Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and NDP MP Rachel Blaney (North Island – Powell River) visited a food bank amid concerning reports that food bank usage will increase by 60 per cent a month in the new year.

“I believe that working people’s paycheques should be enough to pay the rent or mortgage, put food on the table, and put something away for a rainy day. But for a lot of people, the cost of living is making that tougher,” said Singh. “Working people who’ve never had to use a food bank are now having to turn to them for help. Foodbanks are seeing working people, seniors and families come through the doors.

“Inflation is sky-high — but wages aren’t even keeping up. It’s big corporations hiking their prices and their profits that’s driving inflation. And there’s so much more the federal government can do to make sure people don’t have to turn to foodbanks.”

In the fall, New Democrats forced parliament to acknowledge corporate greed is driving inflation — also known as greedflation — and to launch an investigation into corporate greed driving up costs in the grocery sector. But, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre have so far refused to put an excess profit tax in place to stop huge corporations from ripping off customers, or to implement anti-gouging laws.

“Families are working harder than ever, but it’s getting harder and harder to keep up. While Canadians put items back at the grocery store to stay on budget, and make difficult decisions about what they can and can’t afford, billionaire CEOs and big profitable corporations are making record profits,” said Blaney.

“Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre won’t say a word about how much multi-billion-dollar corporations are raking in, because their CEO friends are benefitting. Trudeau’s plan is to do nothing and let CEOs continue to raise prices. Poilievre says his plan is to cut our social safety nets – like pensions and Employment Insurance — and give that money to corporations instead, adding even more pain for working families, and our aging parents.”

Singh said affordability is one of his top concerns as he spends the week travelling British Columbia.

“I remember what it’s like to lose sleep over the rent and bills. In my twenties, I had to work three jobs so I could take care of my little brother. I’ll never forget the worry that I wouldn’t be able to provide for him, no matter how hard I worked. I don’t want anyone to feel this way,” said Singh. “When I’m prime minister, we’ll stop corporations from gouging with an excess profit tax, we’ll stop charging Canadians GST on home heating bills, we’ll keep putting more money in your pocket through things the dental care coverage we already won for children, and this year we’ll implement for teens and seniors.

“It’s time for a government that works for everyday families.”

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