NSNDP

June 1st, 2022

Action required on rising cost of food

Halifax - At the Public Accounts Committee meeting today, NDP MLAs will be looking for ways to help people with the rising costs of groceries. The 2021 Hunger Count report showed a 2 per cent increase in visits to food banks from 2019 and costs have only continued to rise this year.

“People are struggling as food prices rise, and prices are expected to go even higher. Meanwhile there has been little action from the Houston government to address these concerns or get more money into people’s pockets even as other provinces have taken action,” said Claudia Chender, NDP MLA for Dartmouth South. “One part of the solution would be a school food program, which would supply nutritious meals to all school children each day at no cost to families.”

School food programs are one way the province could help families with rising food prices. Other options include increasing the minimum wage and the Nova Scotia Child Benefit.

“People need more money in their pockets to deal with the rising cost of living. This means higher wages are needed across the board. The government should set a higher minimum standard so that people can afford to live,” said Susan Leblanc, NDP MLA for Dartmouth North.

Canada’s Food Price Report suggests food costs will go up between 5 to 7 per cent this year. For a family of four, this could mean around $966 more this year.

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