Mr. Speaker, after nine years of the NDP-Liberals, taxes are up, costs are up, crime is up and time is up.
This weekend in Surrey, over 15,000 people attended Ugly Potato Day, an initiative that invites residents to get imperfect produce for free from farmers. Over 250,000 pounds of produce was donated. Food insecurity is so harsh that residents were willing to wait in line, in one of the worst storms we have seen, for hours just for the chance to get some potatoes and carrots for their families.
Food Banks Canada reports that the cost of living has become so high that food bank use has increased by 50% since 2021. British Columbians have the second-highest poverty rate in the country, impacting over 382,000 individuals.
It is clear that things are broken. Canadians need relief, but the Liberal-NDP government is not listening. Only common-sense Conservatives will reduce spending, eliminate the carbon tax, boost paycheques and give families some much-needed relief.