Millions of Canadians may have seen some extra cash in their bank accounts today, as the Federal Government’s new affordability benefit kicked in. An estimated 12 million Canadians were eligible for the one-time benefit and amounts vary based on the size of the household, with a single adult with no children getting up to $267 and a couple with two kids receiving a maximum of $533. “This is a very welcome step for a lot of Canadians,” says Tricia Johnson of the Ottawa Food Bank. “The cost of living is extremely high right now, and the need for food assistance is higher than our sector can provide. So, having this directly come to Canadians who are experiencing affordability challenges and having trouble affording enough healthy food, this is really, really welcome.” The one-time top-up payment is worth 50 per cent of the annual benefit and regular quarterly payouts will also rise by 25 per cent for the next five years, starting in July. “It’s a first step. One of the things that we’re really happy about is the fact that it is going to be sustained over five years. Food insecurity is a symptom of poverty, and that’s a complex problem. It’s not going to be solved overnight,” Johnson said. According to the Ottawa Food bank, one in four families are experience food insecurity in Ottawa, “Thirty-seven per cent of the people that are served by food banks are children. So, it’s really tough right now for a lot of people who are trying to balance high housing costs, high food costs as well as childcare,” Johnson said. Data provided by the Ottawa Food Bank shows 7.9 million pounds of food is distributed by the Ottawa Food Bank annually. Forty-seven per cent, or 3.7 million pounds, of the food distributed by the Ottawa Food Bank is fresh food like meats, eggs, milk, yogurt, vegetables, fruit, cheese and bread. “I was surprised and I was happy,” says Ottawa grocery shopper Santina Roop. “Food is expensive. Very expensive.” The benefit is also welcome by advocacy groups too. “It’s welcome news when you’re struggling to afford groceries or rent or just basic necessities, every dollar matters,” says Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, Director of Policy and Community Action at Right to Food. “We welcome this investment because we know that increasing people’s incomes, does reduce food insecurity,” she says. “At the same time, we have to recognize that food insecurity remains at a historic level here in Canada It affects around 9.8 million Canadians, including 2.4 million children. So, more needs to be done.” Canadians who meet the income threshold based on their 2024 tax returns will receive the benefit automatically by direct deposit or by mail. With files from The Canadian Press.
