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The debate focused on the cost of living crisis and the increasing reliance on food banks across Canada. Conservative members presented data showing significant upticks in food bank usage, asserting that food inflation is outpacing wage growth and urging the government to acknowledge the crisis. In response, Liberal members thanked food bank workers and highlighted the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, stating it provides assistance to more than 12 million Canadians. Conservative members also proposed a plan to reduce grocery bills by removing federal taxes on diesel.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Tako Van Popta

Conservative
“Food bank visits are up eight percent this year, and food costs are rising faster than wages. Many working people and children need food banks now. I want the Prime Minister to admit that too many Canadian families rely on food banks.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Food Banks Canada is reporting an 8% increase in visitors this year compared to last, double what it was seven years ago. One-fifth of visitors were actually employed and one-third were children. Food inflation is outpacing wage growth again this year according to the report, and things are becoming more difficult for many families despite the many promises from the Prime Minister. Will he at least acknowledge that relying on food banks is the unfortunate reality for far too many Canadian families, or is he totally out of touch with reality?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“I want to thank Food Banks Canada. We followed their advice and created a benefit to help 12 million Canadians buy groceries.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 32 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like, on behalf of all members of this House, to thank the people at Food Banks Canada. They do very important work across this country, and I think we should all applaud their work and thank them for their work. We implemented one of the recommendations, which is now called the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. With that, 12 million people in this country will receive a benefit to help them with groceries. On this side of the House, we are always going to do what is right to support Canadians.

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Dominique Vien

Conservative
“Quebec food banks are overwhelmed, and more families cannot afford basic needs. I want the government to adopt our plan to remove taxes on diesel.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Quebec’s food banks are overwhelmed. They are now handling a record number of requests for food assistance—more than three million every month. That is a 44% increase over the past five years. One in three children relies on food banks. Vulnerable households now spend 112% of their disposable income just on food, housing and transportation. Will this government adopt our plan to scrap taxes on diesel? It is very simple.

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“I thank food bank workers for helping vulnerable people. Our government has done more than the member suggests. We are giving grocery money directly to more than 12 million Canadians who need it.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak on behalf of all my colleagues and thank those who work in food banks across the country. They perform essential and extraordinary work helping the most vulnerable members of our society. We have actually gone further than what my colleague is suggesting. What we have done is provide direct support through the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. More than 12 million Canadians are receiving direct assistance to help them at a time when they need it most. On this side of the House, we will always be there to stand up for the interests of Canadians.

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Dominique Vien

Conservative
“Canadians cannot afford groceries, and food bank use is up 30% since 2019 under this government. I want the government to adopt our plan to lower grocery bills by removing all federal taxes on diesel.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, may I remind the House that, just this week, the Liberals refused to acknowledge the cost of living crisis? A 67-year-old woman in my community has been forced to take house cleaning jobs 25 minutes away from home. She cannot afford winter tires or groceries. Food bank usage has increased by 30% nationwide since 2019. Who was in power then? It was the Liberals. Will the government adopt our Conservative plan to lower grocery bills by eliminating all federal taxes on diesel?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“We know that housing, food, and gas cost too much. That is why we created a benefit to help 12 million Canadians with grocery and basic costs. The Conservatives voted against it. I want them to change their minds and support our help for Canadians.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 26 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we understand the situation perfectly. We are acutely aware, as are all Canadians, that affordability is the priority—housing, food and gas prices. That is precisely why we introduced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, which will help 12 million Canadians. What is unfortunate, however—and the people watching at home know it—is that my Conservative colleagues voted against that measure, which will help 12 million Canadians. I hope that they will reconsider their position and support a government that supports Canadians.

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