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
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.