Northwestern Ontario residents are continuing to feel the effects of inflation at every turn, whether it be at the fuel pumps, the grocery store or your home.
Inflation has reached an average of 8.1 per cent across Canada, a new record-high after we broke 1983’s record at 7.7 per cent in May, with increases as high as 9.7 per cent among grocery store items, 15 per cent in furniture prices and a staggering 48 per cent increase in gas prices.
Kenora MP Eric Melillo says the federal government needs to step in and slow down the rate of inflation by any means necessary, to avoid another crisis in Canada.
“That’s a great concern. Groceries are outpacing inflation overall. The cost of everything is going up, and the government really needs a plan to address that,” said Melillo, in an interview with the Q Morning Show on July 29.
The Bank of Canada hiked interest rates by 100 basis points on July 13, the largest increase in 22 years, in an attempt to slow down the rate of inflation in the country. In essence, the Bank of Canada has made borrowing money more expensive to slow down any demand to borrow and spend money.
“We’ve seen a number of programs announced that are really focused on more government spending, which will add more fuel to the fire and continue to cause the inflation that we’re seeing,” adds Melillo.
“We’re calling on the government to lower taxes to provide some relief for Canadians, and help get them through this crisis.”
A survey from Food Banks Canada found that one in five Canadians have reported going hungry at least once between March of 2020 and March of 2022, with nearly 25 per cent saying they have ate less than they should because they couldn’t afford it.
Canada’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab has estimated that the average family of four will be an additional $1,000 for food in 2022 when compared to 2021’s costs. GasBuddy reports that across the Kenora district, fuel prices are up an average of 48 cents compared to last year’s average price of 141.9 per litre.