(Photo 203331095 © Shawn Goldberg | Dreamstime.com)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19) and Sheldon Spackman

HOW FAR WILL IT GO?

Grocery rebate applause-worthy, but long-term impact is questionable, says food bank

Mar 29, 2023 | 2:14 PM

The federal government’s so-called ‘grocery rebate’ is set to put a few more dollars into families’ and individuals’ pockets during what’s been an extended period of inflation.

Announced as part of Tuesday’s federal budget reveal, the rebate will provide relief for 100 million low- and modest-income Canadians who need it most.

Eligible couples with two children will get up to $467, while single Canadians without children will receive $234. Seniors will receive $225, on average.

But how far will it really go?

Mitch Thomson, executive director at the Red Deer Food Bank, says the government deserves some kudos for implementing the rebate, but as far as a long-term impact, this rebate is lacking.

Dec. 10

RDP holds pinning ceremony for graduating nursing students

10h ago

get in the car!

Maps for 2025 Red Deer Christmas Lights tour

13h ago

predictable taxation

Chamber calls Red Deer County's draft budget 'disciplined'

13h ago

“This will help individuals, seniors and couples with children catch up a little bit and make sure there’s food on the table,” he says. “However, this is not a program that will make a long-term difference.”

Thomson says for years that government supports have helped, but typically leave folks a little bit short, which is when and how they become reliant on organizations such as his.

“The government needs to ensure benefits are adequate for people to meet basic needs. That would take a lot of pressure off of us and make sure people have the autonomy to be well and eat healthy,” says Thomson.

“The other day, I had a senior well into their 90s come into the food bank. It’s disheartening to hear of people in their latter years who just aren’t making it, even though the government has the ability to help them.”

Thomson also lauds the announcement of an expanded dental-care program, which will save people money, allowing them to perhaps put what’s saved towards food.

At the Red Deer Food Bank, meantime, times are tough, and they’ve only gotten worse.

“Last year was very difficult, and we eked through, but we’re at much lower levels of inventory. We’re hundreds of pallets of food behind where we were a year ago. It’s a long time before the seasonal giving that always comes, so we’re nervous. It’s going to be a tough year for many people,” he says.

“We’re also seeing almost twice the volume of people we had just two years ago. Look at the compounding effect of inflation which has seen food prices increase easily at least 25 per cent over the last 18 months; most people’s income hasn’t increased that much.”

He says more measures are needed to help people before they get into trouble, instead of after the fact.

Thomson shares that the Red Deer Food Bank’s food truck, which supports the organization, will be operating once again soon.

Rice, pasta, cereal and canned goods are always welcome donations if people have them, as those always make up a portion of emergency hampers.

For more information about the Red Deer Food Bank (#10, 7429 49 Avenue), visit reddeerfoodbank.com, and for more about the grocery rebate and federal budget 2023, visit canada.ca.

MORE BUDGET 2023 COVERAGE

With no end to federal deficits in sight, budget spells dismay for some economists

Toews issues statement on the new federal budget

Clock ticks on Liberal-NDP deal as budget omits pharmacare bill promised in 2023

Move toward ‘economic reconciliation’ must also come with healing: AFN national chief

Budget 2023: Ottawa threatens to freeze U.S. firms from green tax credits, contracts

Budget 2023: Key highlights from the federal Liberals’ spending plan

Feds outline $83B in clean economy tax credits in bid to compete with U.S. incentive