Leeway from Lloyd: Feds rob us despite grocery rebate

Maybe lottery tickets are too risky, so I might actually buy some groceries while the going’s good.

Of course, we all know real food inflation is more like 40 per cent based on our experience of what we buy.

It’s good news the 2023 federal budget will give Canadian taxpayers a grocery rebate that we can blow on anything we want, including food.

Eligible couples with two children will receive up to $467, a senior will receive $225, and a single person will get $234.

Being a senior and a single person, I hoping to double dip right off the hop and plow it all into lottery tickets to hit the jackpot!

Fortunately, all of us will have a couple of months to finetune our spending plans before the money appears in our bank accounts.

Instead of giving us a grocery rebate, how about gifting us a homeless kit with warm socks, as that’s what we’ll all need when we declare mass bankruptcy.

According to Statistics Canada’s latest inflation report, food prices rose 11.4 per cent year-over-year in January, nearly double the rate of inflation of 5.9 per cent and up from 11 per cent the previous month.

Some people will probably spend half of their rebate to fill up their gas tank just to drive to and from the grocery store.

The rebates expected are exactly what the Liberals offered through last fall’s doubling of the GST credit, a boost that was estimated to cost $2.5 billion and got all-party backing.

It’s pathetic, though, that the Liberals decided to increase alcohol taxes on April 1 by 2 per cent and the carbon tax to 14 cents per litre of gas in Alberta.

The carbon tax will cost the average household between $402 and $847 in 2023, even after that rebate, according to the Parliamentary budget officer.

There are five federal tax hikes in 2023 so the latest grocery rebate will leave all of us poorer by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around.

Governments need to stop creating inflation through taxes no one can afford and cut expenses.

Instead of giving us a grocery rebate, how about gifting us a homeless kit with warm socks, as that’s what we’ll all need when we declare mass bankruptcy.

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Square Dancing

Introduction

NEW LOCATION!

Intro to square dancing will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at City Church, 511549 Street. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear whatever is comfortable. First evening is FREE!

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