Food Inflation Soars Under NDP; Ground Beef Up 39% While Wab Kinew is Premier

WINNIPEG — The cost of essential groceries continues to run rampant in Manitoba according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), which shows that Manitoba has the second highest food inflation rate in the country.

“In 2023, Wab Kinew promised to make life more affordable. It’s 2026 and everything is more expensive,” said Midland MLA Lauren Stone, PC Critic for Finance. “While Wab Kinew has been premier, ground beef prices have shot up 39% according to Statistics Canada. Everything is more expensive under the NDP.”

According to the latest year-to-year figures from the CPI:

  • Manitoba’s food inflation rate is up 6.1%, the second highest rate in Canada.
  • Fresh or frozen beef is up 16.8%.
  • Children’s clothing is up 12.3%, the highest rate in Canada.
  • Recreation, education, and reading costs are up 2.3%, the highest rate in Canada.
  • Fruit, fruit preparations, and nuts up 3.8%, second highest in Canada.
  • Vegetable and vegetable preparations up 4.3%, highest in Canada.
  • Fresh vegetables up 5%, highest in Canada.
  • Coffee and tea up 27.4%

“These aren’t just cold statistics. These numbers reflect the difficult decisions Manitoba families are forced to make every day,” said Obby Khan, Leader of the Official Opposition. “I see moms with their kids at the grocery store, picking up packages of chicken, beef, or baby formula and putting them back on the shelf because it’s just too expensive. It’s heart breaking.”

Earlier this year, the NDP launched a grocery pricing “study.” The study includes an analysis of pricing practices used by local grocery chains.

“What magic bullet is Wab Kinew hoping to find? This is a do-nothing study that won’t lead to lower grocery prices,” said Stone. “What Manitobans need are lower taxes so they can keep more money in their pockets and afford to buy groceries. This starts with reducing income tax bracket creep and reducing school property taxes.”

“Skyrocketing grocery prices and inflation are pushing Manitoba families to the brink,” said Khan. “Parents are facing tough decisions between putting food on the table or scaling back on necessities and activities for their kids. We need to drastically reduce the tax burden on Manitoba families so that they can afford to buy groceries.”

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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@strongermanitoba.ca 

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