Liberals sit on their hands while Canadians struggle to keep up with the cost of living

While the cost of living keeps going up and people struggle to make ends meet, the Liberals fail to deliver the help Canadians urgently need

OTTAWA — Today, NPD Leader Jagmeet Singh reiterated his call on Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to make life more affordable for Canadians encountering a rise in the cost of living. Singh said that in next week’s Fiscal Update, there must be clear measures to tackle the rising cost of housing, cell phone and internet services, and to make sure that those who are still impacted by the pandemic get the supports that they need to get by.

“We hear it from coast to coast to coast — life is increasingly more expensive for struggling families,” said Singh, “As we get closer to the holidays, people are worried if they will make rent or be able to pay their electricity bill by the end of the month. While the ultra-rich profited off the pandemic, families, seniors, people living with a disability and young people need help to make ends meet. Justin Trudeau hasn’t taken any concrete action to stop telecommunication companies from gouging Canadians or to make housing more affordable for people. We will keep fighting for you and your family.”

As we hear stories of Canadians being pushed into debt because of the impacts of the pandemic, Justin Trudeau isn’t hearing their call for help. Under his Liberal government, the average cost of a home is 38 per cent higher than it was a year ago and yet he has done nothing to stop the wealthy speculators that are driving up housing prices. New Democrats have been consistent and clear: to help people find a home they can afford in the communities where they live and work, the Liberals must build 500,000 units of affordable and social housing across the country.

“New Democrats are ready to continue fighting to make life more affordable for Canadian families, said Singh. “Justin Trudeau can reduce the price of your internet and cellphone bills, but he chooses not to do it. He can make housing more affordable but refuses to do it. He can put people ahead of his ultra-rich friends, but he doesn’t. New Democrats will be there to remind him every step of the way that our priority is to fight for Canadians. And that’s what we will continue to do.”