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Canadians awoke to news this week that Canada’s rate of inflation means prices will continue to rise at a rate of 6.9%.
The upside, according to some media headlines, is the inflation rate increase of 6.9% is not accelerating as quickly as the 7% rate last month.
Unfortunately for grocery prices, it is even worse, as the rate of food inflation is currently 11.4%. That is the fastest increase since 1981 and is causing considerable discomfort for constituents I have spoken with, particularly those with low or fixed incomes, who are feeling triple squeezed by higher gas, groceries and housing costs.
On the subject of food inflation, this week, the House of Commons voted unanimously for an NDP motion that proposes a number of measures to closely examine the profits of Canada’s largest grocery stores. I should add several economists and other experts in this area have reported they believe the data will show excess profiteering is not the cause of rapidly rising grocery prices.
From my perspective I believe it is important this area is properly scrutinized and grocery stores are accountable to elected officials to explain their pricing structures.
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Also occurring in Ottawa is the ongoing Public Order Emergency Commission (POEC) that is hearing testimony from a variety of sources as it probes whether the government met the standard for invoking emergency powers found in the Emergencies Act, as required by law.
While not a court of law, the commission has several powers to call for evidence and to hear testimony and has expressed it would like the public to submit their views on this matter. For those wishing to share a submission or email directly with the commission, click on this link: publicorderemergencycommission.ca/share-your-views/
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Before I close this week, I want to take a moment to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of fallen RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, who was fatally stabbed while checking on a homeless individual camping in a Burnaby park. Yang was an RCMP mental health and homeless outreach officer.
This indirectly leads to my question for this week. Now that our civic elections are complete and many new mayors and councillors were elected, often at the expense of incumbents, it has been suggested by some one reason for changes was public safety.
My question this week:
How concerned are you about how well all levels of government combined are addressing public safety concerns?
I can be reached at [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
