Hello everyone. Thank you all for the incredibly warm welcome here at the Sherwood Co-op grocery store. The Federated Co-ops are a really important part of the economy here in Saskatchewan and across Western Canada. Co-ops are owned by more than 160 independent local co-operative associations. Co-op grocery stores like these here in Regina are at the heart of our communities.

I also want to recognize the important work of the Federated Co-ops to meet your commitment to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030. Thank you for your leadership on innovative projects to protect the environment, on everything you do to support farmers and provide the best quality food for families.

I’m here today to talk about what we’re doing to make life more affordable for Canadians.

Two weeks ago, we tabled Budget 2023. It’s a plan to invest in health care, create good jobs, and build a clean economy, and it’s a plan to make life more affordable.

As you know, the rising cost of living has been made worse in recent years by the pandemic and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Even though analysts are predicting good news as inflation is coming down steadily, we know that food prices are still stubbornly high. I just met with families here for whom paying the bills is not always easy. As they told me, groceries remain a huge part of their budget.

And that’s why we created the new Grocery Rebate, which will allow an eligible couple with two children to receive up to $467. This is a measure that will help make life more affordable for around 11 million individuals and families. We hope all parliamentarians will do the right thing and help us pass legislation quickly with the new Grocery Rebate so Canadians can get the needed support as soon as possible.

The new Grocery Rebate is just one example of the measures being proposed in Budget 2023 to make life more affordable for people. We will continue to be there for families, workers, students, and small businesses.

For small businesses, we’re lowering credit card transaction fees. For students, we’re increasing federal student loans and grants. And we’ve permanently eliminated interest on student and apprentice loans, which went into effect earlier this month. For families and for all Canadians, we also announced the Dental Care Plan to make sure that everyone can afford to see a dentist. Our dental plan will provide dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with family incomes under $90,000 a year, and if your family makes under $70,000 a year, costs will be fully covered.

This builds on everything we’re already doing to put more money in your pocket. Tomorrow, a family of four here in Saskatchewan will get their spring Climate Action Incentive Payment worth $340. In total this year, a family of four in Saskatchewan gets over $1,300 back while we fight pollution. See, we’re fighting climate change with a price on pollution while making life more affordable for the middle-class and those working hard to join it.