'Life is so difficult right now': Grocery rebate expected in 2023 federal budget
British Columbians who are struggling to pay for groceries could soon see some relief from the federal government.
In an attempt to ease the financial burden rising food costs are having on Canadians, sources tell CTV News that the 2023 budget, when it is announced Tuesday, will include "grocery rebate."
Once the budget is passed, low-income families, seniors and individuals will be eligible. According to sources, the new measure will see couples with two children receive a payment of up to $467. A single person would receive $234 dollars and a single senior would receive $225.
Vancouver resident Sharon Olsen recently turned 71 and says she is considered low-income. Over the last few years, she has watched her bank account dwindle as the cost of living has soared.
"Life is so difficult right now," said Olsen from inside her apartment.
The senior says she is grateful for any financial assistance but questions what impact $225 will have as grocery prices show no signs of dropping. Olsen believes the feds should find a way to address the root causes of climbing costs, calling a cheque from Ottawa a "Band-Aid" solution.
"Give a man a fish and he eats for the day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life," she said.
According to Statistics Canada's latest inflation report, food prices rose 11.4 per cent year-over-year in January, nearly double the rate of inflation of 5.9 per cent and up from 11 per cent the previous month.
On Monday, a team of researchers at the Agri-Food Analytics lab at Dalhousie University estimated that, due to inflation, an average Canadian family of four will pay at least an additional $1,000 this year for food.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, the lead researcher, said he's concerned that the spending by the feds could have unintended consequences.
"We don't know for sure if people will be spending the money on food," he said.
"When you pour $2 billion into an economy, you risk seeing food inflation become a more significant problem. When you do that, you penalize everyone, and food inflation is a monetary problem in the first place."
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank was also skeptical about the efficacy of a rebate.
Over the last year, they have welcomed, at times, upwards of 1,000 new clients per month. In total, the GVFB says they feed about 16,000 people each year – and the demand is growing.
Chief Operating Officer Cynthia Boulter says the number of children, seniors and families in need is breaking records.
"It will help in a small way for a few moments if people are able to spend this money on groceries," said Boulter.
"Given that food inflation seems to have the most lasting power in terms of the situation we're in with the economy, honestly, we would have rather seen efforts go towards reducing that."
The grocery rebate will be rolled out through the GST system, once a bill implementing it passes in the House of Commons, according to sources.
With files from CTV News' Senior Digital Parliamentary Reporter Rachel Aiello.
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.
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.