Carney announces GST rebate boost and food affordability measures.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to boost GST rebate payments this year and a package of funding for food supply and community food programs.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a package of measures intended to ease grocery costs for Canadians. He presented the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and related steps in Nepean, Ont. The government said it will use the GST rebate framework to deliver an immediate boost to low- and modest-income households. The announcement also included funds aimed at supporting food producers and community food programs. Key details: - Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: the government said a one-time boost in the first year raises the GST rebate for a family of four from $1,100 to $1,890 and for an individual from $540 to $950. - The government said the GST rebate will be increased by 25 per cent starting next year and running for four years, which it described as raising annual amounts to about $1,400 for a family of four and $700 for an individual. - The announcement directs $500 million from the Strategic Response Fund to help food suppliers expand capacity and productivity, and includes a $150-million Food Security Fund to support greenhouses and abattoirs. - The government said it will direct $20 million to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund to ease pressure on food banks and is developing a National Food Security Strategy that will include unit price labelling and support for Competition Bureau work. Summary: The measures are presented as an immediate income boost for low- and modest-income households while also directing funding toward food production and community food programs. The GST rebate increase begins with a one-time lift this year and a scheduled 25 per cent rise starting next year for four years. The government announced work on a National Food Security Strategy; further implementation details were not specified.