Federal budget to include grocery rebate for lower-income Canadians
The 2023 federal budget will include a one-time "grocery rebate" for lower-income Canadians, CTV News has confirmed.
It comes as many Calgarians struggle with the rising cost of food.
"Everything's just been going up and up and up," said Nadia Aube.
"Milk, eggs, bread, I mean, all those things. Fruits, vegetables, anything fresh is crazy."
Jodi Fournier, another Calgarian, agrees and says it's becoming more difficult to shop for the essentials.
"Before this, I could spend $250 for a family of four and now, there's three of us and it was $400 today," she said.
According to sources, the "grocery rebate" will be unveiled in Tuesday's federal budget and will help nearly 11 million low-income Canadians.
The measure would see eligible couples with two children get a one-time payment of up to $467.
An eligible senior would get a payment of $225.
An eligible single person would get $234.
"I'm fortunate that I can afford to buy my groceries, but other people can't," Fournier said.
The Calgary Food Bank says the government money will only go so far.
"Food insecurity, hunger is a bigger problem than a one-time payment can fix," said Betty Jo Kaiser, communications co-ordinator.
The food bank has seen a sharp increase in demand over the past couple of months, but it's also receiving fewer donations.
"Unfortunately, because of the cost of groceries, people just aren't able to give as much," Kaiser said.
As a result, she says they're having to substitute some of the staple items typically included in their emergency food hampers.
"Whatever is donated, we're able to push out and if people aren't able to donate, you know, a couple packages of pasta, then that's two less packages of pasta that's going out to people that are food insecure," she said.
Kaiser says the items most needed right now at the food bank are baby formula, peanut butter, canned beans, granola bars, apple sauce and fruit cups.
According to Statistics Canada's latest inflation report, food prices rose 10.6 per cent in February compared to a year ago.
That's more than double the rate of inflation of 5.2 per cent.
The government's plan will be allocated through the GST rebate system, essentially replicating the recent GST rebate increase.
It's also expected that the money won't actually have to be spent on groceries.
Sylvia Kong, a home economist, says people can use that to their advantage.
"They can go in and repair that freezer or repair that microwave or buy the new cooking pan that's not been working properly," Kong said.
"Those are ways that we're going to get people to be cooking at home."
Kong says people can stretch their dollar by making a list and sticking to it, checking their pantry and freezer to avoid buying duplicates, and taking advantage of bargains, like discounted bread and fruit, when they're available.
She also recommends people opt for frozen fruit and vegetables when possible to save money and reduce food waste at the same time.
"I really discourage people from buying expensive compost. Buy food that you're going to eat first-in, first-out," Kong said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.