Saskatchewan groups welcome Ottawa's food affordability rebates but say more help is needed

Saskatchewan anti-poverty groups and food bank leaders said Ottawa’s Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which raises the GST tax credit for individuals and families and includes one-time payments, will provide extra income for low- and modest-income households but that provincial supports and broader measures are still needed.

Ottawa announced a package of affordability measures aimed at helping Canadians manage rising costs of living. The central element is the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, presented as an increase to the GST tax credit with one-time payments for individuals and families. Saskatchewan anti-poverty advocates and food bank leaders said the federal changes will help some households but emphasized that provincial income supports and other measures remain necessary. Key facts: - Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which raises the GST tax credit for individuals from $543 to $950 in the first year, including a one-time payment of $267, and raises the family amount to $1,890 from $1,086, including a one-time payment of $533. The GST rebate is to rise next year by 25 per cent to $1,400 annually for families and $700 for individuals. - Peter Gilmer of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry said the increase "puts a dent" in food costs but is not sufficient, and called for higher provincial funding for the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program. Current SIS amounts cited include $660 monthly for housing and utilities plus $365 for other expenses for people in Saskatoon and Regina, and $600 monthly for shelter plus $365 for other expenses outside those cities. - John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank, said the extra GST rebate money will help some families on the edge of food insecurity but likely will not remove the need for food bank services; he estimates about one in 10 Reginans uses the food bank each year. Ottawa’s plan also includes $20 million for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund aimed at supporting food banks. - Social Services Minister Terry Jenson praised the GST rebate increase and said the province will not tax the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit for people on SIS or the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program. Summary: The federal measures are expected to provide modest additional income to low- and modest-income residents in Saskatchewan and to offer some support for food banks. Local advocates and food bank operators say larger changes—such as increases to provincial income supports, lower housing costs and better local funding—are needed to address longer-term needs; how much relief will reach smaller communities and the full local impact is undetermined at this time.