Stop Taxing Groceries

Scrap Liberal taxes so Canadians can bring home groceries they can afford.

Ottawa, ON - Today, the Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, called on all parties to vote for the Conservatives' motion to scrap the four hidden Liberal grocery taxes that continue to drive up the price at the till.

"The Prime Minister said that he would be judged on the prices at the grocery store," Poilievre said. "After six months as Prime Minister, the verdict is in: Food Banks Canada gave his government a failing grade while food prices have risen 48 per cent faster in Canada than in the United States. Canadians deserve nutritious, delicious, affordable food on their tables."

In August, food inflation outpaced the Bank of Canada's inflation target by almost double as the price of food purchased from stores rose 3.5 per cent year-over-year. The price of once affordable staples like meat and potatoes has surged: potatoes are up 16 per cent, while beef rose up to 33 per cent and pork shoulder increased 14 per cent.

The Daily Bread Food Banks says there will be four million visits in Toronto this year as more than 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks. Greater Montreal now fills 500,000 food aid requests a month, and Food Banks Canada reports that over a quarter of Canadians are experiencing food insecurity.

The hardship Canadians are experiencing is driven by Carney's taxes on the fuel and fertilizer that farmers need to grow food. As other costs of crop production like seed have declined, the cost of fertilizer has continued to rise over the last year. When farmers are taxed more, Canadians pay the price.

That's why Conservatives are calling on all parties to vote for the motion to scrap the Liberal food taxes:

• the industrial carbon tax on fertilizer and farm equipment;
• the fuel standard tax on diesel and gasoline;
• the inflation tax from Carney's increasing money-printing deficits; and
• the food packaging tax on plastics and packaging.

"While record numbers line up at food banks, Carney is keeping his food taxes that increase the costs Canadians pay at the grocery store," Poilievre added. "It's time for the government to stop taxing groceries so Canadians can have nutritious, delicious food."

Carney said Canadians could measure his performance by the price at the grocery store till. He got a failing grade, and Canadians got another Liberal bait-and-switch. Conservatives will continue fighting to restore the Canadian promise with stronger take-home pay that buys affordable food.