Ahead of Wednesday’s parliamentary group meeting, Conservative House Speaker John Brasard told reporters that the party would ask the speaker to discuss three issues of concern, one of which is the rising cost of living. “The first issue is inflation and affordability. “Obviously with inflation figures in their 40s this morning – the impact this has on Canadians, families, businesses across the country.” Brasar said the party was turning its attention away from issues that could be addressed in the autumn session of parliament, such as hybrid sittings, on issues it said required immediate focus. He cited ongoing passport delays and allegations of political interference in the RCMP’s investigation into the mass attack in Nova Scotia as other priorities. Statistics Canada said Wednesday that the CPI rose 7.7 percent in May from a year earlier, mainly due to higher gas prices. “Higher prices for services, such as hotels and restaurants, have also contributed to the increase. “Food prices and housing costs remained high in May, as price increases remained unchanged on an annual basis,” the service said. Conservative MP and critic of inflation in finance and housing Dan Albas noted that the last time the CPI grew at this rate was Pierre Eliot Trinto as prime minister. Albas said Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland had warned that government stimulus spending would lead to this. “It makes life more difficult for Canadians at a time when the government is trying to make things easier. “This puts more pressure on the Bank of Canada and the government has only to blame itself,” he said on Wednesday. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also voiced concerns about inflation today, making several proposals for a refund to Canadians. “Our proposal is one that will not increase inflation. This is the redistribution of unexpected revenues in the system. “The government’s unexpected GST profit right now as a result of inflation – we can redistribute it through a GST tax deduction,” he said. Singh also proposed a $ 500 increase in child benefit in Canada. He said the party had consulted with a number of economists about its strategy and discussed the idea with the prime minister. During a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Toronto on Monday, Freeland said the government was committed to “fiscal austerity” and heralded liberal programs aimed at reducing the cost of living, such as the new $ 10 $ 1 day for childcare in the provinces. Parliament is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, giving lawmakers a short time to participate in an extraordinary debate.
