Canadian News

Liberal Black Caucus highlights new measures to make life more affordable

December 1, 2022 | Vision Newspaper |

OTTAWA – Canadians are not only feeling the impacts of inflation through higher food and rent prices, they are also anxious about what lies ahead. That’s why our government is continuing to make life more affordable and investing in Canadians.

On Monday, Members of the Liberal Black Caucus held a roundtable with Black media from across the country to share details about new measures from the Fall Economic Statement that the government is taking to make life more affordable, including:

  • Permanently eliminating interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans;
  • Creating a new quarterly Canada Workers Benefit to help lower income workers pay the bills throughout the year;
  • Helping Canadians buy their first home by curbing unfair housing practices, building more housing, and creating a tax-free savings account to help save up a down payment;
  • Supporting Black researchers; and,
  • Lowering credit card transaction fees for small businesses.

During the roundtable, MPs also thanked the media for their work and recognized the challenges they have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-pandemic recovery.

MP Kayabaga highlighted the importance of supporting local Black media, through government programs such as the Canadian Periodical Fund and the Changing Narratives Fund. Supporting racialized and underrepresented media is imperative in creating a more equitable and inclusive Canada.

MP Arielle Kayabaga, Chair of the Liberal Black Caucus and Member of Parliament for London West, was joined by MP Michael Coteau, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance.

Quick Facts:

  • Thanks to a responsible fiscal plan Canada has a triple-A credit rating, the strongest economic growth in the G7 this year, and the lowest net debt- and deficit-to-GDP ratios in the G7.
  • Our economy is strong: 400,000 more Canadians are working today than before the pandemic, and our unemployment rate is near its record low.
  • Despite this, many Canadians are struggling with the rising cost of living. We are making life more affordable by:
    • Permanently eliminating interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans;
    • Creating a new quarterly Canada Workers Benefit to help lower income workers pay the bills throughout the year;
    • Delivering on key pillars of the government’s plan to make housing fairer and more affordable; and,
    • Lowering credit card transaction fees for small businesses.
  • This is in addition to the many investments in Canadians that are already making life more affordable this year, including:
    • Doubling the GST tax credit for six months;
    • Delivering a $500 payment to help low-income renters;
    • Providing dental care for children under 12;
    • Increasing the Canada Workers Benefit to put up to $2,400 in the pockets of low-income families;
    • Cutting child care fees in half and creating more spaces;
    • Delivering the Canada Child Benefit, which puts more money in the pockets of nine out of 10 families;
    • Permanently increasing OAS payments for seniors over 75;
    • And more.

Quotes

“The delivery of the 2022 Fall Economic Statement highlighted our government priorities and the engagement with Black media is an opportunity to inform communities across the country on our government’s work but also hear on the needed work for an inclusive economy for all Canadians.” 

Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West and Chair of the Liberal Black Caucus 

“Black communities across Canada can be reassured that the Fall Economic Statement is a fiscally responsible plan to make life more affordable while also growing the economy and creating good-paying jobs. The permanent step to reduce the burden of student loans will make a huge difference in the lives of young Black and racialized students who already face many economic, social, and intersectional barriers. We’re also strengthening the research capacity of Black scholars to increase the diversity of Canada’s research community, while also investing in young people right across the country. With life becoming more expensive for many Canadians – we will continue providing compassionate, targeted supports for the communities who need it most.”

The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“The Fall Economic Statement highlights our government’s work to build a more inclusive economy for all. Our government is committed to putting money back into the pockets of all Canadians, including Black and racialized Canadians, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, people with disabilities, and many more. That’s why we’re doubling the GST Credit, eliminating interest on the federal portion of student loans, and indexing many of our government benefits to the rate of inflation. Our government is focused on helping Canadians from all backgrounds succeed. ”

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

SOURCE Government of Canada

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