Singh Opposes Liberals’ $250 Cheques Proposal, Calls for Greater Support for Vulnerable Populations

November 26, 2024 TruthUSA

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh expressed that his party does not currently support the Liberals’ proposed $250 cheques for Canadians as it excludes the most vulnerable Canadians like seniors and those with disabilities.

“We were told it would be anyone earning less than $150,000 who would get this. We assumed that would include obviously seniors, people living with disabilities, and students,” Singh told reporters in the House of Commons on Nov. 25.

“Right now we have learned it is going to exclude the most vulnerable. That is wrong. The Liberals need to fix this.”

On Nov. 21, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a two-month break for Canadians from the federal sales tax (GST), stating that Canadians are “squeezed” during the holiday season amid the cost-of-living crisis. The tax break applies to items such as groceries, restaurant meals, beer, wine, certain pre-mixed alcoholic beverages, and certain items for children such as clothing, footwear, diapers, and toys. Trudeau also announced the government would give $250 cheques to 18.7 million Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned $150,000 or less.

The New Democrats initially supported the policy and claimed credit for influencing the Liberals to introduce the GST break on essential items. Singh mentioned that the party was “obviously” going to support “people getting a break,” but emphasized that the policy did not go far enough.

On Nov. 25, Singh expressed that the initial briefing from the Liberals did not specify that the policy only applied to working Canadians, and the NDP had assumed Canadians earning no income would be supported.

In a subsequent document, the Department of Finance clarified that the cheques would only be provided to tax filers who worked as employees and reported Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance contributions on their 2023 tax returns. Singh mentioned that this would exclude retired Canadians, those living on disability pensions, and students.

“It is a slap in the face,“ Singh said, emphasizing that the Liberal Party needed to ”fix the cheque.”

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet also expressed confusion regarding the initial proposal, stating on Nov. 25 that he did not understand “how the Liberals got the NDP to support them on this.” Blanchet suggested expanding the cheques to include retirees and expressed concerns that the money may not reach those who need it the most.

The Conservative Party criticized the Liberals’ announcement, mentioning in a press release that the GST break and cheques would not effectively make life more affordable for working Canadians in the long term.

The party recommended that with the federal carbon tax set to increase by 19 percent in April 2025, the government should consider removing the carbon tax if they are “serious about restoring affordability.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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