SURREY (March 21, 2023) – British Columbians are struggling to keep up with the cost of living, as a new poll from Angus Reid reports that more than half the population feels worse off financially today compared to a year ago. Adding to these concerns, a new report from Statistics Canada shows that in February 2023, B.C. was the only province where inflation failed to cool down, marking the eighth consecutive month that the province’s inflation rate has outpaced the national average.
“Today’s inflation numbers are just confirming what most British Columbians have been feeling in their wallets for months. It’s all well and good to make announcements and promises, but at the end of the day, results are what matter. And the fact is, David Eby hasn’t delivered the relief people so desperately need,” said MLA Trevor Halford, Shadow Minister for Affordability. “Families should be able to afford necessities like chicken and eggs, but the cost of food has risen by 10 per cent over last year making it more difficult than ever to make ends meet. Cost-of-living is the number one issue for families right now, and despite all the announcements, David Eby has failed to have any real impact on the affordability of food, groceries and housing.”
Statistics Canada recently reported that B.C. was the only province in Canada to maintain elevating inflation in February 2023, with the cost of some essential foods rising by almost 20 per cent, including butter (+19%), chicken (+18%) and fresh vegetables (+14%).
