Introducing Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to make life more affordable
by Yasir Naqvi MP, Ottawa Centre
Food insecurity was already a reality for too many households, and the past year has brought even more uncertainty. Global tensions, threats to our economy, and the return of Donald Trump to the world stage have worsened an already fragile situation. One thing is clear: we cannot rely on the systems of the past.
Last fall, the federal government tabled a budget to build a resilient economy for all Canadians. This means addressing systemic issues that have made our economy fragile. Real change takes time, but it will lay a stronger foundation for future generations.
At the same time, we must act to ease the hardships Canadians are facing today. Tangible solutions are needed to support those struggling right now, particularly families dealing with food insecurity. In Ottawa, visits to food banks have reached levels we never could have imagined. For the first time in our history, one in four households is going without enough to eat. These struggles are not unique to our community. They are the everyday realities of families across the country.
I’ve seen the strength of our community in Ottawa Centre, where neighbours support one another. Building on that spirit, our government is acting on food insecurity with both immediate and long-term solutions. I’ll start by highlighting the new measures aimed at helping Canadians who need it most.
First, we listened to organizations working every day on food insecurity, including Food Banks Canada and the Parkdale Food Centre, and introduced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to put more money back into Canadians’ pockets. The benefit increases the former GST credit by 25 percent for five years starting in July 2026 and includes a one-time top-up this year. A family of four could receive up to $1,890 this year, and more than 12 million Canadians will benefit.
The government is also working to keep food affordable by supporting producers and supply chains. We are investing $500 million to help businesses manage supply chain costs without passing them on to shoppers, along with $150 million to support small and medium businesses that keep food moving from farms to tables. To boost domestic food production, farmers can now immediately expense new greenhouse buildings, encouraging more local supply.
Finally, $20 million is being directed to food banks and local organizations to provide immediate support. At the same time, a National Food Security Strategy is being developed to strengthen food production, improve access to affordable food, and bring more transparency to grocery pricing.
As Carissa Davis, Community Advocacy Coordinator at Parkdale Food Centre, put it: “We need immediate actions that reduce harm and provide tangible relief. And we need bold, structural reforms that address the root causes of poverty. This benefit is a small win. I am proud of our community for making it happen. But small wins cannot be the finish line.”
She is right. These measures matter, but they are not enough. To truly end food insecurity, we must address the root causes of affordability challenges in Canada, starting with housing. Studies show that rising rents are one of the biggest drivers of food insecurity. When most of a person’s income goes toward housing, food is often the first thing to be cut.
That is why, the government has introduced legislation to launch Build Canada Homes, focused on building affordable housing faster across the country. Using modern construction methods and Canadian-made materials, the agency will deliver homes sooner while supporting jobs and strengthening Canadian industries. By maximizing every federal dollar, Build Canada Homes will accelerate housing delivery and help build more stable communities over the long term, with Ottawa among the first cities chosen to launch the program.
Food insecurity is not an abstract issue. Families are living it every day in Ottawa Centre and across Canada. Addressing it means acting now while also investing in long-term solutions that make life more affordable and stable. Our community has shown what is possible when we look out for one another, and our government has a responsibility to match that care with action, so fewer people are forced to make impossible choices.