Ongoing cost-of-living crisis should trigger another housing benefit payment: Singh
He said the NDP have a long list of policies they want the government to implement, but chief among them is a second top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit targeting low-income Canadians who spend more than a third of their income on rent.
The first $500 top-up, which was announced in September 2022 alongside a temporary boost to the GST rebate, was rolled out just before Christmas.
The government budgeted $475 million for the program. Statistics reported by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation say 815,190 individuals and families applied for the benefit for a total cost of $402 million.
The one-time housing benefit payment was among the items in the supply-and-confidence agreement reached between the Liberals and NDP in March 2022. The agreement lists policy items the two will collaborate on in exchange for the NDP supporting the Liberals on key votes to prevent the minority government from being defeated.
The agreement says the government should consider a second round of the housing benefit payment if cost-of-living issues continue.
When asked if he thinks that applies now, Singh said: “Yes, absolutely.” |Read more https://www.albertaprimetimes.com/edmonton-news/ongoing-cost-of-living-crisis-should-trigger-another-housing-benefit-payment-singh-7483595|
Note from Steve:
The government is pumping more money to those with lower incomes. There are a lot of people who are working, who will need this support, just the same as those on AISH or social assistance. This is an easier course of action than actually fixing the problem.
The problem is jobs with low wages and no benefits. The value of our spending dollar has been greatly reduced. So the government puts a band-aid on it.