Can’t Afford Carney
Ottawa, ON – In May, Mark Carney told Canadians to judge his government “by their experience at the grocery store.” It’s been seven months and Canadians’ only experience at the grocery store has been rising prices and broken Liberal promises.
This was confirmed again as the latest CPI Numbers showed that grocery prices have shot up 4 per cent year-over-year, double the Bank of Canada’s target of 2 per cent inflation. Since taking office, prices at the grocery store have been above the Bank’s inflation target, but it’s getting even worse. September’s increase is the highest since 2023.
Prices increased the most for essential fresh vegetables, which increased 3 per cent from August to September of this year. Meanwhile, fresh and frozen beef rose 14 per cent year-over-year, while meat went up 6.6 per cent overall. Seafood was also up 5.5 per cent.
It has all led to a massive increase in food bank use as the families can’t afford food anymore. Today, the largest food bank in Brandon, Manitoba, reported an ‘alarming’ increase in the number of food hampers it has provided since January. Another, Helping Hands, is on track to provide 25 per cent more meals in 2025 than they served in 2023.
Carney could have made life more affordable by ending the Liberal Food Taxes skyrocketing the cost at the till. Instead, he voted to keep the taxes on, and Canadians are paying the price. Just yesterday, the Liberal government admitted their plastics ban was a failure by repealing it, but only for exports. Canadians will continue to suffer higher food prices as a direct result of Liberal inflationary policies.
But it’s not just food essentials that are rising, as rent prices saw a 4.8 per cent increase across Canada year-over-year. Quebec saw the highest spike with rent increasing 9.6 per cent, notably in Montreal. The Maritimes were also hit hard, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick seeing 6.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent increases, respectively.
Carney promised to be different. Instead, he’s worse. He doubled down with the inflationary deficits and high taxes that delivered higher prices for heating, eating and housing. Canadians don’t need another bait-and-switch Liberal. Conservatives will fight to restore the Canadian promise with lower taxes and stronger take-home pay that buys affordable food and homes.