As Canadians continue to grapple with rising costs, Liberal MP Ruby Sahota says recent federal measures are designed to provide both immediate relief and longer-term stability - particularly as global pressures weigh heavily on household budgets.
Sahota addressed affordability concerns during a recent visit to Barrie 360, acknowledging what many residents in communities like Barrie are experiencing day-to-day.
“I think people are feeling the pinch,” she said, pointing to a range of federal initiatives introduced over the past year.
Among them: an income tax reduction affecting millions of Canadians, the removal of GST for first-time homebuyers, and a temporary reduction in fuel costs. The government’s decision to suspend part of the federal fuel excise tax is expected to lower gas prices by about 10 cents per litre through the summer.
Sahota said the timing is intentional, especially for commuters and families planning travel. “It’s important that people feel that this summer, as gas prices tend to go up… that we’re able to mitigate that effect that people feel.”
While a gas price drop is visible and immediate, other changes—like shifts in rental markets—can be harder to notice. Still, Sahota argues those trends are real.
“I think people are feeling the rents that have gone down,” she said, attributing that in part to changes in immigration levels and housing supply dynamics.
Global pressures, local impact
Much of the current economic strain, Sahota emphasized, is tied to factors beyond Canada’s control—including geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty.
“These are global issues and impacts that we are facing,” she said, noting similarities with challenges in the United States and overseas markets.
That reality also limits how much control governments have over essentials like food prices. “We’re a capitalist country. We don’t set the prices for the grocery store,” Sahota said. However, she pointed to efforts to strengthen supply chains and invest in domestic food production as part of a broader strategy.
In the short term, relief is coming through direct payments. A one-time grocery benefit top-up is set to arrive June 5, followed by ongoing support. Sahota said this is intended as a “stopgap measure really while we work on long-term solutions.”
Listen below to our interview with MP Sahota. It begins at the 15:48 mark.
Despite calls for deeper or extended tax cuts, Sahota acknowledged that government support has limits.
“It’s not a bottomless pit,” she said, adding that the government is reviewing spending and “finding efficiencies” while trying to maintain support programs.
She also pointed to Canada’s fiscal position relative to other G7 nations as a reason for cautious optimism, noting international assessments that place the country in a comparatively strong position.
Still, for many households, the focus remains on everyday affordability - from groceries to gas to housing. Sahota said the government’s approach is to respond in stages, offering immediate help while working toward structural fixes.
“That’s why we’re making these announcements,” she said. “That’s why we want to give the groceries and essentials benefits… while we figure out long-term solutions.”
