THUNDER BAY – Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh continued his push to lower the cost of living by introducing a motion in the House of Commons on Tuesday that would lower the price of essential items at large corporate grocery stores.
Members of Parliament debated the motion on Tuesday and will vote on it Wednesday at around 3:30 p.m.
Paul Berger, a spokesperson for Poverty Free Thunder Bay, said a price cap on essential foods would definitely help people who are trying to make ends meet on a low income, but more needs to be done.
“It's a troubling economic system that allows massive profits to be made on food while minimum wage is below a living wage and income support programs are drastically inadequate.
“We know that for many people nutritious food is out of reach; food bank use is very high and children go to bed and to school hungry,” Berger said.
“Legislating a price cap on essential foods could provide some immediate relief - but it won't be enough. We also need structural change to address the root causes of the problem. In a country as wealthy as Canada, we can do much better,” he added.
In an interview with TBnewswatch on Tuesday, Singh said France introduced a cap on the price of essential items at the grocery store in 2023.
“They've used their ability at a national level to force 75 retailers to lower the price of 5,000 products.
“The question is, will the Liberals and Conservatives have the will to take on corporate greed?” Singh asked, adding that he hears from people all the time about the cost of living.
“They're frustrated. At the same time, they know that the CEOs of these companies are making a killing. They're making more money than ever – so people feel ripped off.
“I think they have a reason for feeling ripped off. The Liberals haven't responded to this. Justin Trudeau hasn't taken this seriously.”
Singh said putting a cap on the cost of essential items would save people a lot more money than axing the carbon tax, which is what Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been calling for.
On Tuesday afternoon, TBnewswatch contacted Patty Hajdu, MP for Thunder Bay – Superior North; Marcus Powlowski, MP for Thunder Bay – Rainy River, and Eric Melillo, MP for Kenora, by email to see if they would comment on the motion and how they would vote.
None of the MPs confirmed how they would vote, but Hajdu said addressing the cost of food is a top priority for the Liberal government.
“Through a series of actions we are working to stabilize grocery prices and strengthen local food security to ensure Canadians have the ability to put food on their tables.
“Measures and legislation specific to grocers have been introduced including the Grocery Code of Conduct and the modernization of the Competition Act,” Hajdu said.
“We also recognize that food prices in Northern communities are far too high. We have made progress in the expansion of the Nutrition North program, and in the introduction of the Harvesters Support Grant and the Community Food Programs Fund.
“Making sure people can afford and access food has to be the foundation of our efforts and we will continue to work so families have the measures they need to make life more affordable.
“Affordable child care, benefits like the Canada Child Benefit and Disability Benefit along with dental care coverage and soon the National Pharmacare Program are also important measures to bring costs down for Canadians.
“We can't let up. This is work that families are counting on us to continue,” she said.
