Inflation still raging, wages down and Liberals nowhere to be found

The NDP critic forFinance, MP Daniel Blaikie (Elmwood-Transcona), made the following statement on the release of the updated inflation rate:

“Today’s inflation numbers should be a wake-up call to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: the inflation crisis isn’t going away, and it’s being driven by corporate greed.

Canadians are working harder than ever, but prices are going up while disappointment is rising among employees looking for a raise.

New Statistics Canada figures show inflation remains high at 6.3 per cent, with food at a painful 11 per cent, and housing prices up 7 per cent, compared to last year. Aggravating this, wage growth dropped by a half per cent in December.

While Canadians stretch every dollar, cross items off their grocery list and downsize, corporations are raking in record profits. Loblaws alone is making one million dollars in extra windfall profit every single day. The greedflation could not be more clear.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inner circle is the ultra-rich and big CEOs, and it shows. The Liberals have done nothing but look to the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates — driving mortgage payments up even more. They even voted against making big corporations pay their fair share. Of course, Pierre Poilievre won’t help. The Conservatives are calling for lower wages and smaller pensions for you, and more money for CEOs.

These inflation numbers should be a wake-up call to Trudeau. And until he hears it, New Democrats will keep fighting back against corporate greed, including pushing for a windfall tax — because big corporations should not be allowed to gouge Canadians without consequences.”