Canadian Unions demand help for families coping with inflation

OTTAWA — Canada’s unions are urging Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland to impose new measures that will help millions of workers and their families adjust to rising living costs brought by inflation.

“One of the most important lessons we should have taken from the pandemic was how cushioning the blow of an economic crisis on the most vulnerable helps build a stronger economy. Positive government action positioned Canada for a stronger recovery,” said Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress in a statement.

“It is critical that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has a plan to reduce the impact of sky-high prices and rising interest rates on workers and their families – especially on the most vulnerable lower income families.”

Bruske pointed to a recent Statistics Canada report stating that one in five expect to use a food bank in the next six months while over 40 per cent of Canadian families say they are struggling because of rising food prices.

“It’s the responsibility of governments to intervene and make sure families are not being left to bear this burden alone. Beyond measures already announced in Budget 2022, additional direct and targeted help to families through an immediate increase in the GST credit would help vulnerable families who need it the most,” stated Bruske.