Canadian families are finally getting some help with the high cost of living after months of pressure from New Democrats.
For six months, the NDP urged the Liberal government to double the GST rebate and finally, on November 4, Canadian families will receive up to $467 to help them pay for their increasing bills. With interest rates only continuing to rise, New Democrats know that this support could not be more urgent.
Families in British Columbia and across Canada are facing an impossible situation and mortgage and credit payments are only getting more expensive.
While rich CEOs have been lining their pockets because of inflation – people in our riding are struggling to keep up with their payments and are having to decide what they can and cannot afford.
Last spring, New Democrats called on the Liberals to stop giving rich oil and gas companies billions of dollars in subsidies, and instead use this money to help hardworking Canadians by doubling the GST tax credit. Rather than help people, the Liberals teamed up with the Conservatives to keep supporting big oil — who have made massive profits off the backs of Canadians. It’s clear – people would not be receiving this help if the Liberals and Conservatives were left to their own devices.
We fought hard to get more money in your pocket, but if Liberals had listened to New Democrats months ago, British Columbians would have already seen this help. Friday’s GST rebate is an important first step – but with a looming recession more needs to be done to help families. We know that the Liberals can take concrete action to help people today – they can close tax loopholes and make rich CEOs pay what they owe, tackle corporate greed and improve Employment Insurance so that if a recession does happen, no worker is left behind.
Richard Cannings, PM, South Okanagan-West Kootenay
