Mr. Speaker, the affordability crisis is spiralling out of control in Quebec. Even workers are struggling to feed their families.
According to Hunger Count 2026, which was published today by Food Banks Canada, food banks in Quebec are responding to over 3.2 million requests for food assistance every month, an increase of nearly 5%. What is even more troubling is that 23% of the recipients are employed. We are talking about Quebeckers who work and pay their bills but who cannot afford groceries anymore. In Montreal, half of the organizations say they have had to reduce the size of their food hampers so that they could feed more people.
There are real people behind these numbers: parents who are skipping meals to keep their kids fed, children who are going to school with an empty lunch box, and seniors who are struggling to put food on the table because of inflation. In a country as rich as Canada, no one should have to choose between putting a roof over their head and putting food on the table. Quebeckers need real action.