New Democrat MLAs Marie Renaud, left, and Heather Sweet at a news conference on Friday. Photo by Dave DeGagne/Alberta NDP.
A new report shows 853,000 Albertans live in households with food insecurity.
The new University of Toronto report shows Alberta has the highest rate of food insecurity among Canadian provinces .
Food insecurity is defined as the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints.
“Hundreds of thousands of Albertans can’t afford a balanced diet or are worrying about running out of food before they have money to buy more,” NDP critic of community and social services Marie Renaud said of the impact of food insecurity.
“Some are going hungry, some are missing meals and some may not even eat for days because of the lack of money to purchase food.”
Renaud and MLA Heather Sweet appeared at a news conference Friday calling for immediate action by the United Conservative Party government.
The NDP called for the government to immediately return to the Legislature to work with opposition parties to increase support for families.
Those steps include lowering income tax, raising benefits, boosting grants to non-profits, building more affordable housing, increasing rebates, freezing tuition, cutting interest on student debt and putting a cap on car insurance.
Renaud and Sweet blamed UCP policies for causing the crisis, citing decisions that have led to increases in income taxes, property taxes, utility costs, school fees, tuition, interest on student debt and park fees, as well as cuts to the Child and Family Benefit, the Seniors Benefit, Income Support and AISH.
“Alberta’s 107 food banks are seeing alarming increases in the need for their services,” Renaud said.
Renaud said food banks provide vital support to Albertans, but are not the answer to food insecurity.
The University of Toronto report shows Quebec has the lowest rate of food insecurity at 13 per cent.
Alberta has the highest rate at more than 20 per cent.
The Consumer Debt Index showed that in April half of Albertans were just $200 away from not being able to pay their bills at the end of the month — the highest level in the country.
“How can the government of the richest province in Canada allow this to happen to its citizens?” Renaud asked.
Researchers have indicated Quebec’s low rate of food insecurity is due largely to provincial policy.
“Since forming government in 2019 the UCP has been consistent in one area, and that is absolutely ignoring the needs of Albertans,” Renaud said.
Inflation hit a 40-year high as wages in Alberta lagged behind.
“The UCP has abandoned Albertans and failed to ensure everyone in our province has the means and opportunity to thrive,” Sweet said.
