politics

Jagmeet Singh talks affordability for Northern B.C.

Oct 28, 2022 | 4:31 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was in Prince Rupert on Friday to discuss affordability in Northern B.C.

CKPG News had the chance to speak with Mr. Singh over Zoom during a pit-stop in Prince Rupert on Friday morning to discuss his plans to tackle affordability issues. He acknowledged that the north is being hard hit when it comes to cost of living, and wants to implement solutions that will help those residents.

Singh says that the NDP has pushed the Liberal government for an inquiry into rising food prices amid rising inflation. The NDP has also proposed that the GST for home heating bills be taken off immediately, to provide relief to families who may have to pay high energy bills over the winter time.

Singh and the NDP want to implement a windfall tax in order to provide the funding when cutting the GST and for other issues.

Chris Beach, political science instructor at CNC, says that the NDP currently has power and leverage in Ottawa due to the Liberal minority government. Some proposals that the NDP are pushing may have the ability to be considered by the government and receive a vote in the House of Commons.

Singh arrived in Prince Rupert on Thursday and spent the day Friday, visiting with workers and talking with residents and community leaders. The House of Commons will meet again on Monday, October 31.