Mr. Speaker, we were alarmed but not surprised this week to learn that food bank use in Ontario is at an all-time high. We have seen a similar increase in my home community of Hamilton. What is particularly concerning is that there has been an 82% increase in people with jobs who are relying on food banks.
The erosion of the middle class, under eight years of the Liberal-NDP government, is another reason why the Prime Minister is just not worth the cost. With Scotiabank confirming that 2% of rate hikes are attributable to reckless spending and deficits by the Liberals, mortgage renewals are the latest gut punch that is going to hit household budgets. I heard this at a Diwali celebration this past weekend and at the Christmas kettles the week before. Canadians are very concerned.
I want to say to Hamiltonians and Ontarians that the common-sense Conservatives hear them and are fighting for them. Under the leadership of the hon. member for Carleton, we are going to deliver powerful paycheques and restore the middle-class dream for Canadians once again.