Media Release: Over 9.5 million Canadians to receive hundreds of dollars back in their pockets thanks to the NDP

OTTAWA— On Wednesday, for a second time in less than a year, millions of Canadian families are receiving hundreds of dollars – a family with two children will get up to $467 - to help them deal with high costs after significant pressure from Canada’s New Democrats. While the amount that people have been paying for food, rent, and other necessities like gas and home heating fuel has remained high, Jagmeet Singh and the NDP relentlessly pushed the government to double the GST rebate to give families some financial breathing room.

“People have been working hard, and tightening their belts as the cost of living has soared over the last year. Canadians feel like they’re doing everything right, but they just can’t get ahead—it’s not right,” said Singh. “That’s why New Democrats fought so hard to get families, seniors and students a little extra support.

July 5th, 2023

Over 9.5 million Canadians to receive hundreds of dollars back in their pockets thanks to the NDP

Singh says the rebate should be the first step in a bigger plan to support Canadians and address the corporate greed driving up prices for families.

OTTAWA— On Wednesday, for a second time in less than a year, millions of Canadian families are receiving hundreds of dollars – a family with two children will get up to $467 - to help them deal with high costs after significant pressure from Canada’s New Democrats. While the amount that people have been paying for food, rent, and other necessities like gas and home heating fuel has remained high, Jagmeet Singh and the NDP relentlessly pushed the government to double the GST rebate to give families some financial breathing room.

“People have been working hard, and tightening their belts as the cost of living has soared over the last year. Canadians feel like they’re doing everything right, but they just can’t get ahead—it’s not right,” said Singh. “That’s why New Democrats fought so hard to get families, seniors and students a little extra support.

Justin Trudeau thinks everything is fine and that everyone can just absorb growing costs—he doesn’t understand what it’s like to fight hard just to make ends meet each month. And Pierre Poilievre is more interested in defending big businesses and wealthy CEOs than delivering help for your family. New Democrats are in your corner.”

In May 2022, New Democrats began calling on the government to double the GST rebate to help Canadian families. After months of sustained political pressure, the Liberals finally agreed to provide extra support in the fall. But the NDP wasn’t satisfied. New Democrats continued to urge the Liberal government to get more money back into people’s pockets and, in the last budget, the Liberals agreed to double the GST tax credit again, opting to rebrand the program as a “grocery rebate.”

“It doesn’t matter what the government calls it,” said Singh. “It’s hundreds of dollars back in your pocket to help you cover your weekly grocery bills, or fuel up the family car for your summer vacation. It’s help to cover the kids’ summer camp or—for some Canadians— it keeps the lights on.

If the Liberals weren’t always protecting ultra-rich CEOs, they could do even more to help people with cost-of-living by putting in place an excess profit tax to get more money back in people’s pockets. New Democrats are going to keep fighting for stronger competition laws so you can trust that big corporate grocery stores aren’t gouging you at the cash register. In the meantime, this grocery rebate is the least the government can do for Canadians.”

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Vancouver Sun: Muslim groups join calls for B.C. Conservative campaign manager to resign

A coalition of Muslim organizations has joined calls for the resignation of B.C. Conservative campaign manager Katy Merrifield over past social media posts slamming Islam.

In June, Merrifield reposted a message on social media that said “Islam is a literal rape culture.” Merrifield quickly removed it and said the comment was a momentary lapse caused by her own past trauma.

But critics note she has not apologized for it, and has continued to amplify anti-Islamic statements on social media, including ones referring to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “jihad-loving mayor” and blaming Islam as a whole for the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

On Tuesday, Musa Ismail, on behalf of Unified Muslim Associations in B.C. (UMABC), said party leader Lorne Doerkson should force Merrifield out.

Ismail said that, in the absence of action by Doerkson, no Conservative candidate is welcome at any Muslim centre or mosque during the B.C. election campaign.

UMABC joins the B.C. Muslim Association, NDP Leader David Eby, NDP Surrey City Centre candidate Amna Shah and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan, among others, in calling for Merrifield to step down.

Kwan called Merrifield’s comments “deeply disturbing and unacceptable” and said the posts stigmatize all Muslims and send “a chilling message” to B.C.’s Muslim communities.

“At no point has Merrifield apologized or taken responsibility for the hurt she has caused,” Kwan said in a statement. “Muslims are not collectively responsible for the actions of extremists, and no one should have to fear discrimination or hostility because of their faith.”

Doerkson did not address calls for Merrifield’s resignation in his public appearances in recent days.

*Click photo or link to read the full news story - https://vancouversun.com/news/muslim-groups-join-calls-for-bc-conservative-campaign-manager-to-resign