Question Period (30 March 2026)

From Hansard (30 March 2026)

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Funding for Food Banks

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week we heard that the Moose Jaw Food Bank was forced to limit clients to one visit a month because they couldn’t keep up with demand. We are now aware that this problem is not just limited to Moose Jaw. The North Battleford food bank is being forced to cut back on the amount of food it provides to clients. That food bank feeds at least 10 per cent of people in that region.

Demand has risen drastically over the last year. What does the minister plan to do to keep 1 in 10 people in The Battlefords from going hungry?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And with regards to the food banks, the Food Banks of Saskatchewan were allocated $2 million — $1 million per year for two years, Mr. Speaker. That was during a time of unprecedented inflation that we saw across the country of Canada, Mr. Speaker. Every province was affected by food inflation.

This government has introduced a budget two weeks ago and voted on last week that will provide additional affordability enhancements. Two and a half billion dollars of affordability measures built into this year’s budget, things that include the doubling of the active families benefit, Mr. Speaker. We’re also taking more individuals off the tax rolls and enabling individuals in this province to keep more of their own money in their own pocket to be able to spend it where they think they need to spend it, Mr. Speaker.

 

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, a tax cut does not go a long way when somebody can’t even access a computer.

Mr. Speaker, the minister doesn’t seem to understand why food banks are struggling so badly. Well setting aside 20 years of neglect and disrespect under the Sask Party, he should take a look at the most recent budget. That bad-news budget completely eliminated the $1 million grant to food banks. They chose to do this when demand is higher than ever. Now in North Battleford, in Moose Jaw, people are being turned away hungry. Their kids are turned away hungry.

Will the minister reverse this callous and dangerous cut to food banks? Or will he let families and children in North Battleford go hungry?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Well like I said in my previous answer, Mr. Speaker, the Food Banks of Saskatchewan program — the $2 million over two years — that was done at a time when inflation was running wild right across this country, particularly when it came to food. Inflation rates were 7, 8, 9 per cent, Mr. Speaker. This was a government that answered the call of the food banks at that time, Mr. Speaker.

This opposition had the opportunity last week to vote in favour of a budget that is going to provide additional affordability measures — $500 million in additional affordability measures this year — including a number of things like increases to the seniors’ income program, Mr. Speaker. Other affordability measures like doubling the active families benefit and taking an additional, I believe it’s 42,000 individuals right off the tax rolls in this province, Mr. Speaker.

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