Manitoba Leads Nation in Food Inflation
WINNIPEG — With the cost of essential groceries and housing in Manitoba continuing to rise, the NDP government is failing to help Manitobans make ends meet, Wayne Ewasko, Leader of the Official Opposition, said today.
“While the NDP brag about cherry-picked inflation numbers, the premier broke his promise to control rising food prices,” said Ewasko. “Costs are higher today than when he took office.”
Statistics Canada’s latest report on the Consumer Price Index shows Manitoba has one of the highest food inflation rates in the country at 3.7 per cent year over year, well above the national average of 2.8 per cent. Manitoba families are paying more for milk, eggs, meat, and fresh vegetables, while baby formula has seen one of the largest increases, up more than $9 from this time last year, a staggering 26.73 per cent.
“As Manitobans continue to struggle under a cost-of-living crisis, the NDP government is raising hydro rates, Manitoba Public Insurance rates, and other taxes and fees,” said Ewasko. “To make matters even worse, some food staples such as milk prices have been raised by regulation by the NDP.”
Progressive Conservatives helped Manitobans with affordability challenges through tax changes and direct support that equalled up to $5,500 in total savings for the average two-income family by 2024. By contrast, the NDP’s own budget estimates that a full year of the gas tax holiday would save most Manitobans less than $500. Critics have pointed out that that is only if they drive a large truck thousands of kilometres.
Three months ago, when challenged about their failure to lower food prices, Deputy Premier Uzoma Asagwara was unable to identify a single action that the NDP would take if grocers failed to lower prices, and resorted to tired speaking notes. No action has been taken, either to control costs or to help Manitobans make ends meet.
“The NDP simply are not helping Manitobans make ends meet where it matters most and where they promised to help,” said Ewasko. “The next time you grab some milk from the fridge and taste something sour, just know that Wab Kinew and his cabinet personally raised the price on a food item they used to call essential.”
Meanwhile, Stats Canada reported that core housing costs in Manitoba are up 4.7 per cent year over year. Rents are up 6.1 per cent, while the cost of owning a home is up 5.2 per cent.
-30-
For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca