Federal budget 2023 highlights: grocery rebate, investments in healthcare, climate change, and economic recovery

Tashi Farmilo

The IGA Famille Larivière in Aylmer welcomed two esteemed guests on April 11 as the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the President of the Treasury Board, visited the store to announce the new grocery rebate that was introduced in the federal budget. The ministers spent time chatting with locals and the store owner, highlighting the investments that Canada is making in its citizens and the economy, and efforts toward combating climate change.

The new grocery rebate is aimed at helping 11 million Canadians and families who need it the most, providing an additional $467 for eligible couples with children, an additional $234 for single Canadians without children, and an additional $225 for seniors, on average. This one-time payment will deliver $2.5 billion in targeted inflation relief and will be distributed by the Canada Revenue Agency as soon as possible after the passage of legislation. 


Minister Lametti stated, "The grocery rebate is aimed at providing a boost to financially vulnerable Canadians to counterbalance the increasing cost of living. It complements the increased GST credit and the expanded health and dental care plan to alleviate some of the burden on citizens, while mitigating inflationary triggers on the government. The Grocery Rebate is part of Budget 2023's goal to make life more affordable, strengthen public healthcare, and build a more sustainable and secure Canadian economy for everyone."

"The grocery rebate will have a big impact for those in tight financial situations," said the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada.

Canada's economy has made a remarkable recovery from the COVID recession. Economic growth has been the strongest in the G7 over the last year, with 830,000 more Canadians employed than before the pandemic. Inflation in Canada has fallen for eight months in a row, and the unemployment rate is near its record low. The labour force participation rate for women aged 25 to 54 also reached a record high of 85.7% in February, supported by Canada's affordable early learning and child care system.

To strengthen Canada's public healthcare system, Budget 2023 will provide $198.3 billion, including $37.409 billion for Quebec, to reduce backlogs, expand access to family health services, and ensure provinces and territories can provide high-quality and timely healthcare to Canadians.

Budget 2023 will also crack down on junk fees and predatory lending, lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses, and introduce a new Canadian Dental Care Plan to help up to nine million Canadians. The budget also includes significant measures to fight climate change, deliver cleaner and more affordable energy, and create good-paying jobs.

Budget 2023's investments are also aimed at building a clean economy in Canada by fighting climate change and creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. The budget includes transformative measures that will deliver cleaner and more affordable energy while supporting investment in communities and creating good-paying jobs. These investments will focus on developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, increasing energy efficiency in homes and buildings, and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. 

Speaking at IGA Famille Larivière in Aylmer, MP Greg Fergus emphasized the significance of investing in green energy and setting the foundation for a cleaner and more prosperous future. He stated that "Canada's transition towards a sustainable future through clean energy and technological innovation is a shared responsibility, and we must invest in it now to ensure a brighter tomorrow."

Photo Caption: Danny Larivière, owner of IGA Famille Larivière in Aylmer with David Lametti and Greg Fergus in Aylmer at the IGA Famille Larivière April 11.

Photo Credit: Lily Ryan