What is the Premier doing to address the cost-of-living crisis? - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Everyone knows that the rising cost of food is outpacing inflation. In fact, price growth for food has exceeded general inflation for 10 consecutive months, and food has become too expensive for some families.
What direct action will the Premier take for people who cannot afford to buy enough groceries to feed their families?
THE PREMIER « » : I thank the member for this important question. Affordability is a real problem in this province, across the country, and indeed, really around the world in many respects. We know the cost of food, the cost of gas, the overall cost of living is really putting pressure on Nova Scotian families, and we're deeply concerned about this.
In terms of the member's specific question about food, we're doing what we can, Mr. Speaker. We're making significant investment in food banks around this province. We're looking at a number of initiatives to support Nova Scotians. We know the cost of living is causing a lot of pain in Nova Scotian families, and we're concerned about it.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, in this House we should be working to make sure to put food banks out of business.
This government is out of touch with the needs of working families who a year ago made enough to cover their bills but now find themselves coming up short at the end of each month. Someone from Yarmouth contacted us to say that their entire monthly income is now consumed by bills, but they earn too much to qualify for any government assistance. Because of the rising cost of food, this individual can only afford to eat one meal per day. Any more increases to their bills will put them on the street. This is one of the stories we hear daily.
Can the Premier tell us when the government will stand up for working families who used to earn enough to make ends meet but now find themselves falling behind during this inflationary crisis and need help today?
THE PREMIER « » : I want to assure the member that we understand the gravity of this issue, for sure. As a government, we've taken a number of steps where we can. Government can't do it all, Mr. Speaker, but where we can, we've certainly been a government of action. We've seen that in things like the CCA wages. We've seen that in the child care agreement.
These are important steps, Mr. Speaker. They shouldn't be minimized. The Seniors Care Grant - we're doing what we can to support Nova Scotians. We know that inflation is a real problem. We know that inflation is causing pain on Nova Scotian families across this province. We will continue to look for ways to step up and support those families where we can.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, I hope that's true, because the support provided by this government so far does not help families whose incomes are being outpaced by the economic crisis.
A parent from Terence Bay told us: I'm currently on maternity leave, making $674 biweekly. While many things are going up, I'm fighting to even tread water and to keep food in the house.
Mr. Speaker, these people are not eligible for any of the government's targeted programs and are struggling with nowhere to turn. What does the Premier have to say to working Nova Scotians who are struggling to make ends meet?
THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, to say that the government is doing nothing would be completely false. The government is doing what it can, for sure. We have initiatives, rent supplements. We have grants. We have all kinds of things that we do to try to support Nova Scotians. Where there are gaps where people might fall through, we are always looking for ways to do that.
I want to go back to the food banks and the important service that they're providing to Nova Scotians. On this side of the House, we know that we need to . . . (Interruptions)
THE SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The Premier has the floor.
THE PREMIER « » : What I would just say, Mr. Speaker, is that we take every effort we can to support those community organizations that step up to help Nova Scotians. We're not interested in putting anyone out of business in this province who will be there to help Nova Scotians.