Finance Minister Says Bringing Down Food Cost Is ‘Work in Progress,’ Urges MP to Pass GST Credit Boost

Finance Minister Says Bringing Down Food Cost Is ‘Work in Progress,’ Urges MP to Pass GST Credit Boost
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne speaks in the in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Oct. 6, 2025. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
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Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defended his government’s record in matters of food inflation as he testified before a House of Commons committee, while encouraging Conservative MPs to support the government’s proposed 25 percent increase to the GST credit.

Champagne appeared at the House finance committee on Feb. 3 to answer questions about his recently tabled Bill C-19, also known as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act. The bill would amend the Income Tax Act to increase the maximum annual GST credit amounts by 50 percent for the 2025-2026 year, and by 25 percent for the following five years, with around 12 million Canadians being eligible for the credit.