An Alberta cabinet minister says it makes more sense now to help people in the province who are suffering from an “inflationary crisis” and rising utility bills than to wait another seven months.
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Affordability and Utilities Minister Matt Jones said he is not about to apologize for providing assistance at this stage, even though a provincial election is expected in the province in May.
“I would say there is either a cost of living and inflation crisis or there isn’t. Albertans certainly feel it and the next question is, should the government act now to address the real needs of Albertans or wait for seven months? Jones said during an announcement Wednesday in Calgary that the province will provide $20 million over the next two years to help food banks.
“I am not prepared to tell families to wait to feed their families or to get to work.
“We’ve been financially disciplined for three years, so we’re in a position to do that and I think it’s important that we support Albertans in their time of greatest need.”
Alberta is on track for a $13 billion surplus this year due to recovering oil and gas prices, with an update on the budget coming Thursday.
The money must include $10 million in direct funds and an additional $10 million in matching funds for food banks, charities, nonprofits and civic organizations.
The first $5 million will be distributed in the coming weeks, the province said.
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Seniors, Community and Social Services Minister Jeremy Nixon said there was an “immediate crisis, so I think that adds to the why now answer.”
“Many Albertans rely on food banks, which is why I am so grateful for the work they do in their local communities. It is my goal to ensure that no Albertan ever has to wonder where their next meal will come from,” said Nixon.
“During the pandemic there was also a crisis, so this is not new. We recently put $6 million into food banks and we’re building on that.”
Arianna Scott, CEO of Food Banks Alberta, said the money is critical to meeting the growing needs of the public.
“When (the) Hunger Count (report) came out nationally in October, Alberta experienced a 73 percent increase since 2019. So that’s the biggest increase across the country. It’s also the biggest increase Alberta has ever seen,” Scott said.
“Every day we hear from our members that the number of new customers coming through the door is increasing exponentially. The majority of our members continue to experience an increase month after month during this year.”
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“As a member of Food Banks Alberta, we are pleased to see the Alberta government take a necessary step to fight hunger,” said Michael Pasma, president of the Calgary Food Bank.
“We must all work together to find solutions to the root causes of food insecurity. As we approach a future of potential economic instability, we are honored to have the Alberta government’s commitment.”
Food Banks Alberta has 104 member food banks.
Premier Danielle Smith announced payouts of $600 for middle- to lower-income families in a province-wide TV address on Tuesday. Those with a household income of less than $180,000 a year must get $600 for each child under 18 over a six-month period. The same income threshold and benefit applies to seniors.
The government also promises to remove its provincial gasoline tax and to continue to provide electricity rebates.
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Jones said Wednesday that those who do not qualify for the $600 payouts are not being left out.
“The vast majority of Albertans will be eligible for up to $500 in electricity rebates and even more when you combine the fuel tax relief,” he said.
“I think we would all agree that as the cost of living and inflation crises continue, we need to target additional support where it is most needed.”
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The province said the support for food banks comes because its affordability action plan will provide broad-based support and targeted relief for families, seniors and the most vulnerable.
– With files from Global News
© 2022 The Canadian Press
