Mr. Speaker, today we are debating an issue that directly affects the daily lives of millions of Canadians, specifically, the ability to feed one's family, pay for groceries and meet basic needs with dignity. Behind the numbers, the budget tables and the partisan debates, there is a very real human reality. There are parents who count every dollar at the checkout, seniors who worry about seeing their savings dwindle and workers who, despite their efforts, feel as though the cost of living is rising faster than their wages.
My speech today will be divided into two parts.
I would first like to take a few minutes to talk about my riding, Beauport—Limoilou, because the decisions we make here must be based on the practical realities of the communities we represent. Beauport—Limoilou is a rich and diverse riding. It is home to families, workers, seniors, young people and a large proportion of people living alone. This riding brings together two distinct living environments that exemplify urban diversity.
There is Beauport, a predominantly residential area that is home to many families. In several neighbourhoods in Beauport, nearly one in three households is made up of families with children, which explains the importance placed on schools, local services and quality of life.
Then there is Limoilou, a vibrant, dense urban area with deep roots in community life. One fact worth noting is that Limoilou is the part of Quebec City with the largest number of seniors living alone. In some neighbourhoods, more than half of all households are single-person households. This has real-world impacts. Living alone often means living on one income and spending a greater share of the budget on housing and everyday expenses. Most Limoilou residents are renters, so housing is a particularly important issue.
Despite their differences, Beauport and Limoilou share common concerns. Overall, the riding has a significant share of households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Beauport—Limoilou is also a riding with a strong community spirit. Local organizations play a vital role in supporting citizens and maintaining social bonds, particularly in dense urban areas.
This snapshot of Beauport—Limoilou reflects the reality of millions of Canadians. Last Friday, I visited the organization Entraide Agapè, which is located 400 metres or so from my constituency office. It is a food bank that needs our help. This organization provides support to more than 100 people a week, with the assistance of over 100 volunteers.
Over the holidays, I visited almost every private seniors' residence in my riding. What did they tell me? They told me to think of them. They told me not to forget them. Today, I want them to know that we are thinking of them. We are thinking of everyone.
We cannot forget the fact that, even within a single riding, needs vary and must be taken into account in our collective thought process. The government has already found ways to support citizens, particularly in terms of housing, income support and services. Other supports can and must continue to be discussed here in the House, in light of the reality on the ground. With that in mind, I will continue to reflect on the measures we have put in place and those we can still improve for Beauport—Limoilou and the country as a whole.
The global economy is volatile. Supply chains have been weakened by the pandemic, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and widespread, and geopolitical tensions continue to affect food prices. On top of that, hard-working people who contribute to our society are feeling less able to afford the necessities of life. Bill C-19 was designed with them and millions of others across the country in mind. While overall inflation is moderating, food inflation remains high. Low- and moderate-income households are still the hardest hit. In light of this reality, our government has made a clear choice to take targeted, responsible and effective action.
Bill C-19 amends the Income Tax Act to create the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. This new benefit builds on an existing and well-known mechanism, the GST credit, to quickly provide financial support to those who need it most. This is a meaningful solution that will really help people. It is the best vehicle to reach Canadians quickly.
In practical terms, this measure will provide a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50% increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST credit in the spring of 2026. It will provide immediate, tangible support to millions of families. Starting in July 2026, the value of the benefit will be increased by 25% for five years.
In total, $11.7 billion will be invested over six years to support more than 12 million Canadians. This will provide up to an additional $402 to a single individual without children, $527 to a couple and $805 to a couple with two children. These amounts are not theoretical. In Beauport—Limoilou, they mean more balanced meals, less financial stress and more flexibility to deal with unforeseen circumstances.
A key aspect of this bill is that it is simple and efficient. Recipients will not have to fill out complex forms or take additional steps. All Canadians need to do is file their taxes. This support will be issued automatically, on a quarterly basis, which helps ensure predictability and stability for households.
This benefit does not replace our other support measures. It is the newest addition to a coherent suite of public policies aimed at improving affordability. These policies include the Canada child benefit, the guaranteed income supplement for seniors, the Canada disability benefit and Canada's national school food program. I should also mention the Canadian dental care plan, since 27,055 Canadians in my riding are already enrolled.
In the riding of Beauport—Limoilou, where the median household income is about $60,000 a year, that number is very telling. It shows two things: first, that these programs meet a real need on the ground, and second, that we must step up our efforts to reach out to the many other Canadians who are eligible for these programs.
Some will say that these measures do not go far enough, but we cannot forget that food banks, community organizations and frontline experts have clearly called for direct support for food and essentials. Bill C-19 answers that call. These measures, combined with the Canada groceries and essentials benefit, form a strong safety net for households. These are conscious policy choices made in response to what we have heard and practical needs on the ground.
Bill C-19 is not just a short-term response. It is part of a broader vision of economic resilience. In addition to providing direct support to households, our government is investing in Canadian food processing, strengthening our supply chains and supporting our agricultural producers. These investments are a critical part of stabilizing prices in the long term and making us less vulnerable to global shocks. Bill C-19 is one more tool to give them the support they deserve.
This bill asks the House a simple question. Are we prepared to provide meaningful support to Canadians in need? Are we prepared to take tangible action to improve accessibility?
Personally, I think the answer is clear. Yes, we must act. Yes, we must support families, seniors, workers and vulnerable people. I urge all MPs to support Bill C-19, not for partisan reasons, but out of a sense of responsibility, solidarity and social justice, because, ultimately, making life more affordable—