North Bay organizations have mixed feelings on new federal grocery rebate
Local groups and organizations in North Bay that work with low-income Canadians told CTV News they have mixed opinions on the grocery rebate set to come out of the 2023 federal budget.
The shelves at the Callander and District Food Bank always need re-stocking. The food bank knows all too well of the impacts inflation and rising food costs have on those that need its services.
"Our people are beginning to feel it and we're also growing in clientele daily. So we need more food," said food bank coordinator Maureen Carriere.
CTV News has confirmed the government is going to provide some financial assistance to lower income Canadians struggling with the rising cost of food.
The new measure is called the grocery rebate and will be included in Tuesday’s budget. Sources said the measure will help nearly 11 million low-income Canadians.
The new benefit will be part of a GST credit once the budget is passed in the House of Commons.
Here is how it would work: a couple with two children could get a one-time payment of up to $467, seniors would get a one-time payment of $225, while a single person would get a payment of $234.
The benefit will be rolled out through the GST rebate system, once a bill implementing it passes in the House of Commons, according to sources.
This move is essentially re-upping and re-branding the recent GST rebate boost.
The amounts expected to be offered are exactly what the Liberals offered through last fall's doubling of the GST credit, a boost that was estimated to cost $2.5 billion and got all-parties' backing.
It's not expected that there will be a requirement to spend the rebate on groceries.
Currently serving roughly 100 families and 53 children, the Callander food bank wonders if it will help at all.
"It is better than nothing. We sort of think that it's not really a help to them. Maybe it will for one week," Carriere said.
"Next week, the price of gasoline is going up, which means food prices are going up."
North Bay's Golden Age Club said seniors are feeling their wallets get thinner every time they have to go to the grocery store and they welcome this rebate with open arms.
"We can do more for seniors," said the club’s vice-president Kathy Forth.
"Any of us, no matter what our situation is, would like a break. Anything that can be given to us, I think is there to help us all out."
Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing (L.I.P.I) is happy the government plans to establish this one-time payment.
"I'm glad they're paying attention and glad they're putting some effort into this," said LIPI’s executive director Lana Mitchell.
"I'm glad they're using a process that we can understand for people already on GST entitlement. I'd like to see a little bit more in-depth analysis on what we can do so people can afford their own groceries."
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.