Liberals and Conservatives are protecting corporations’ profits while Canadians are going hungry

OTTAWA – A survey released by Food Banks Canada yesterday confirms that almost one quarter of Canadian families are buying less food than they need because they can no longer afford to buy enough groceries. Today, a report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer confirmed that inflation is rising twice as fast as Canadians’ wages, which makes it even harder for families and seniors to afford the groceries they need. As Canadians fall further behind on the Liberal’s watch, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is urging the government to take action now to help Canadians make ends meet.

“People are anxious and frustrated because they can’t afford to buy food to feed their families,” said Singh. “Costs are rising far faster than people’s wages which means your money doesn’t go as far as it used to at the grocery store. While Canadian families and seniors are struggling to buy basics like bread and pasta, the wealthiest corporations are making record profits. Loblaws made 66 per cent more in profits in 2021 than the previous year. Imperial Oil made its highest profits in over 30 years. It is wrong that the Liberals are saying they’ll help Canadians in a year or more when the richest companies are making record profits. People are going hungry; they need help now.”

The NDP has been calling on the government to stop protecting corporate profits and redistribute money to hardworking Canadians by extending the excess profit tax on financial institutions to include big oil and gas companies and huge corporations making record profits. Singh called on the government to immediately get between $500 and $1000 in peoples’ pockets by doubling the GST tax credit and increasing the Canada Child Benefit.

The Liberals claim these programs are indexed to inflation but under the government’s plan, Canadians won’t get that money for at least a year. New Democrats know Canadians can’t afford to wait.

“This is exactly what is wrong with the system designed by Liberals and Conservatives – in times of crisis, the rich and powerful win and Canadians lose. Instead of helping people put food on the table, the Liberals prefer to protect the profits of big corporations. New Democrats know that this is wrong. We know that Canadians deserve better, and we’ll keep working for them to have the support they need to make ends meet.”