Canadians, the Cost of Living is Through the Roof: Together, We Can Solve This Growing Crisis

Canadians have reached a defining moment in history. The cost of living is now a small fortune, carbon tax is currently at 20.5%, and we’re entrenched in an affordable housing crisis. 

Experts have suggested that people should spend no more than 30% of their income on housing, however, reality says differently. Canadians like you are spending over half their monthly earnings on rent especially in major cities, and for those living on minimum wage, it becomes impossible to stay within budget and make accommodations for food, clothing, and other essentials. 

The Canadian federal elections are on September 20, 2021. If you’re frustrated with the current state of affairs and want a future where taxes are controlled, housing is well within budget and our educated youth have secure jobs, this is your chance. 

Build a sustainable future that works for you instead of the other way around. Vote for Canada’s Fourth Front Party to have your values, beliefs, and welfare reflected in our highest level of government. 

Inflation in Canada

Inflation is poised to grow by about 2.8% each year and job security is as hazy as ever, which means we’re looking at unprecedented spending in the next 20 years. Essentials like bread have increased by as high as 200% in the last 2 years alone. 

These statistics are unsustainable and, hence, unacceptable. The people in power must step up to curb these inflationary rates by adopting contractionary monetary policies, whether that be increasing interest rates or decreasing bond prices. 

Post-Secondary Education

A recent study showed that the average cost of a year’s worth of post-secondary education in Canada estimates to about $19,500. For some students, this amount is significantly higher. A U of T student living off-campus, for example, has to shell out about $23,500 each year. 

Post-secondary full-time tuition fees from a cumulative standpoint easily cross over the 7 billion dollar threshold. Astonishing, isn’t it? As adults, the onus falls on us to push for a future where our youth can be guaranteed free post-secondary education. 

How do we expect our youth to fend for themselves if we haven’t aptly prepared them for the workforce? A simple high school education isn’t enough to lend them the skills and knowledge to cope with the competitive job climate and the influx of foreign students. 

Our government needs to step up and make post-secondary education accessible for every Canadian with a high school diploma. 

Natives, Farmers, Veteran Welfare

The natives, farmers, and veterans are a neglected portion of society as there is no permanent emergency fund on a federal level to help them. In 2017, the federal government established a $1 million budget to aid veterans and their families in times of crisis during unexpected situations. 

It began handing out cash at the onset of the fiscal year. However, it was soon found that the number of cases being referred to it was overwhelming and former soldiers were being turned away as the fund’s eligibility criteria were vague and arbitrary. 

This nation was built on the backs of people that fall into these neglected pockets of the population. We must advocate for their welfare and ensure that we have a systematic, holistic and well-regulated system in place to provide them with the aid they need. 

Youth Engagement and Welfare Programs

The youth in Canada do not have affordable recreational facilities to depend on during the summer months. A dearth of sufficient outdoor fields, summer jobs, and affordable travel to explore Canada have led our youth to live sedentary lifestyles. Added to this, the heavy influx of foreign students makes job searching challenging for Canadian youth as employers now have access to cheaper labour. 

The Fourth Front Party vows to change that. Our vision is to build at least 3,000 outdoor sports fields as part of a youth development initiative and make guaranteed summer jobs available to all high school and post-secondary students. Moreover, people aged 16-30 will be able to use the Via Rail for free during the summer to travel across Canada. 

Carbon Tax

The poorly conceived carbon tax has further escalated the prices of products including food. Bread, vegetable, and fruit prices have risen by a high as 200%. Roofing costs, plyboard sheets and lumber, gasoline and lawn maintenance, to name a few, have also experienced a major price surge recently. 

If we were to continue on this upward trajectory, Canadians will find it impossible to make ends meet, save for their kids’ education and plan for their retirement. Is this a fair system? Absolutely not. 

On October 21, it’s time to make your voice heard. Don’t settle for a government that is designed to drain you of your livelihood, your hard-earned income, and your future well-being. 

Frustrated with the rising cost of living and want REAL change? A happier, healthier and more sustainable future is on the horizon – for you and your kids. 

Vote CFF on October 21, 2019, to make this vision your reality.