WINNIPEG —The NDP have renewed its call on Justin Trudeau’s Liberals to reverse their decision to cut the CRB for people who need it to survive during this pandemic. While pandemic lockdowns are still in place in several provinces, including Manitoba, many Canadians still don’t have jobs to return to. The Liberals are trying to force through the Budget Implementation Act (BIA, Bill C-30) without fixing this unnecessary cut to the CRB that will leave families unable to make ends meet.
“Families and individuals have struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic and many have completely lost their incomes. They cannot afford to lose $800 per month from their CRB benefit. $1200 per month to survive on is completely unlivable,” said NDP MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre). “Why are the Liberals cutting help when people need it the most? We will fight against this decision.”
Throughout the pandemic, New Democrats knew that people needed help and fought to get it. When the Liberals introduced the CERB at $1000, New Democrats fought back and got to double it. When the Liberals left students unaccounted for, New Democrats fought back to make sure students got the help they needed to afford groceries and rent. This time is no different. New Democrats will fight to ensure people continue to receive their full CRB as long as lockdowns prevent them from going back to work.
“The Liberals’ cut to the CRB is another example that shows they aren’t in it for struggling families,” said Singh. “When big banks increased banking fees and gouged Canadians during the pandemic, the Liberals left them off the hook. But when it comes to helping Canadians hit hard by this pandemic, Liberals cut the help they need. New Democrats won’t let them get away with it and we will fight to ensure people are supported in this difficult time.”
MANITOBA—On Monday, MPs Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) demanded that the federal government take action to end child poverty, citing rising rates in the recently released Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Card. Gazan and Ashton are calling on the government to implement a national school lunch program and a framework for a guaranteed, livable basic income (GLBI).
WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan, the NDP’s critic for Women and Gender Equality, is reiterating Jagmeet Singh’s call on the Trudeau Liberals to cover contraception costs as part of the party’s push for a universal pharmacare framework.
“Contraceptives are an essential part of reproductive health for women and gender diverse people,” said Gazan.