A food bank employee from New Brunswick has revealed that a number of active Canadian military members are relying on food banks to survive the cost-of-living crisis.
The discovery comes after a viral video was posted to social media on Friday by Conservative MP Michelle Ferreri.
In it, Ferreri interviews a food bank worker from Oromocto Food Bank in Gagetown, located near Canada’s largest military base.
“How many military members from Gagetown – active people serving – are using your food bank?” Ferreri asked.
“About 40 to 50 families are using our food bank that are military members,” the employee responds. “I’ve been here for thirteen years and that number has gone up and up and up over the last four years.”
The employee also said the numbers have steadily increased since 2020.
Ferrari then draws a parallel to the Trudeau Liberal’s carbon tax which has contributed to the cost of food
“70% of Atlantic Canadians do not agree with the carbon tax. The other thing you told me about the military families is they have to pay for the heat for their homes which is natural gas – which has…”
“Carbon tax,” they both said.
Canadian Forces service members living in cars, unable to afford groceries
In November of last year, it was revealed that a few active Canadian Armed Forces service members are living out of their cars while stationed in Canada because they can’t afford a place to live.
The revelation came during a recent Standing Committee on Veteran Affairs from military veteran Debbie Lowther, who sits as the Chair of Veterans Emergency Transition Service Canada (VETS Canada).
“I find this incredibly shocking, you’re telling me that active current members of our Canadian Armed Forces cannot afford the cost of living and are coming to you for help?” Conservative MP Blake Richards asked Lowther.
“That is correct,” Lowther replied.