OTTAWA — The Conservative Party is criticizing the federal government over the increasing cost of living as new reports reveal a significant rise in food bank usage across Canada. During question period, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre questioned how many meals Canadians would have to forgo due to what he termed a "costly Liberal budget."

A recent report from Food Banks Canada indicated that nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks occurred in March, marking a 5% increase from the previous year and nearly double the number from 2019. The report described the current level of food bank visits as "historic and very concerning," stating it is "far more than enough to call an emergency."

Additionally, a report from the Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank highlighted that over one in ten residents in Toronto now depend on food banks. The Conservative Party's statement emphasized that this situation reflects a failure of the Liberal government, claiming that "only a decade of Liberal incompetence could make hunger the new normal."

The party further argued that each dollar added to the national deficit contributes to rising costs for Canadians, stating that families need "affordable homes, full cupboards, and hope."

In response, Liberal House Leader Steven MacKinnon pointed out that Conservatives have opposed various Liberal initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable Canadians. NDP MP Leah Gazan called for a modernization of the social safety net to better assist those in need.

Liberal MP Marc Miller commented on the Food Banks Canada report, stating it reflects the current state of food insecurity in the country. He noted that the government is taking steps to address this issue, including making the school food program permanent. "Food precarity is something that is present in Canada, it’s present in a lot of countries that are in the same situation as us," Miller said.

The ongoing debate highlights the growing concern over food security and the economic challenges facing many Canadians today.