'An important step forward': The Food Bank of Waterloo Region praises new grocery benefit
CBC
The new federal grocery rebate is being praised as "an important step forward" in addressing food insecurity in the region, according to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region's CEO.
"Right now, across Waterloo region, people are under enormous pressure," Kim Wilhelm told CBC News. "We really do welcome this."
On Jan. 26, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a new initiative to help low-and modest-income Canadians who are struggling with rising living costs.
In the coming weeks, eligible individuals will receive a one-time top-up on their GST rebate, followed by a 25 per cent increase in regular payments starting in July. The benefit is expected to support over 12 million Canadians, many of whom are feeling the pinch from rising food prices.
As for the direct impact on the region, Wilhelm says that while it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people in Waterloo region rely on the GST credit, the demand for food assistance is rising.
"We do know what's happening here on the ground," she said. "People are turning to food assistance programs at alarming rates."
According to Wilhelm, the food bank saw a "record breaking" 73,000 individuals accessing the food bank last year.
"We are handing out community meal hampers on a daily basis right here in Waterloo region, but people just can't keep up," she said.
According to Statistics Canada, grocery prices have increased by 22 per cent since 2022.
Evan Fraser, a professor of geography at the University of Guelph, explains that rising food costs stem from multiple challenges.
"Going back to COVID, we’ve had a series of crises hitting the food system," he said.
Fraser adds that while Canadians have enjoyed decades of affordable food, the underlying system is now facing serious pressures.
He says the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is a "really important first step in supporting low-income Canadians so that they can afford a healthy diet."
However, Fraser says broader changes to Canada's food system are needed to keep prices stable and protect Canada's food security.
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