QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Food Security
November 15, 2022
Government leader, food bank usage in Canada is at an all-time high. Demand is especially strong among both domestic and international students amid soaring tuition fees and skyrocketing food and housing costs. Senator Gold, Canada’s international students are among some of the brightest talents in the world, and they are a key part of our country’s future. They contribute billions of dollars to the Canadian economy. It is shameful that many of them are having to turn to food banks to survive. When will your government get serious about the affordability challenges that are keeping our youth and our students from getting ahead?
Thank you for the question. The government understands that food insecurity for all Canadians, especially those such as students who have less access to family and other resources, is a real preoccupation. It’s on the rise. As you point out, those turning to food banks are examples of this. Thank goodness for those food banks and the generous volunteers and organizations that support them.
The fact is that the government recognizes this problem and is very preoccupied with it. The Government of Canada has made serious investments through targeted social programs and income supplements, like the Canada Child Benefit, to reduce poverty and food insecurity. Generally, other measures are contained in the Fall Economic Statement 2022, which will be before us when the bill arrives, to assist students in that regard, and the government will continue to do what it can to help those facing challenges such as food insecurity and other issues tied to the rising cost of living.
Leader, this is not a problem your government can fix with a one-time housing benefit or other temporary fixes — nor cancelling a Disney+ subscription, as the finance minister lectured Canadians about last week, make a difference. Such comments reflect the deep-rooted disconnect between the Trudeau government and the reality of everyday Canadians. Canadians need concrete and lasting solutions for the current affordability crisis they’re facing. I will ask again: Will your government finally take serious action to make life more affordable for students and all Canadians?
Thank you for the question. I will answer again. The government is taking serious actions — targeted, focused, committed and sustained actions — to help Canadians with the challenges that the rising cost of living has imposed.
