In a powerful announcement from a community food center in Ottawa, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh addressed Canadians’ growing concerns about skyrocketing grocery bills and economic uncertainty caused by international tensions and corporate greed.
“With dignity and respect,” Singh began, addressing a crowd of supporters and press, “we’re here because a lot of Canadians are worried about how much it costs them when they go to the grocery store.”
As fears mount over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed talk of tariffs and annexation threats, Singh pointed to the already dire food affordability crisis. “You go into the grocery store again and again and see prices going up higher and higher. Folks are putting back items on the shelf because it’s just too expensive. And it wasn’t that way before.”
Emergency Cap on Food Prices Announced
Singh announced a bold new NDP policy: an emergency cap on food prices. “We know people are struggling with the high cost of groceries because corporate grocery stores are ripping you off and driving up the cost of food,” he stated. “Today, I’m announcing our plan to impose an emergency cap on food prices to stop them from ripping you off.”
The move comes in response to systemic issues in Canada’s food industry, including recent revelations that grocery stores have been overcharging for meat by including packaging weight in pricing—a practice Singh called “wrong.”
Taking Aim at Corporate Greed and Political Inaction
Singh didn’t hold back when criticizing political opponents. “What would Mark Carney do? When he became Prime Minister, the first thing he did was a tax cut for millionaires. He opposed GST relief for working families. That shows his values.”
He also took direct aim at Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. “Poilievre voted against a price cap. He voted against measures to hold corporate grocery stores accountable. Why? Because his party is run by lobbyists, many of them tied to the grocery industry. He’s not going to stop them.”
New Democrats: The Party That Fights for You
“If you’re wondering who will fight for your groceries—that’s us. That’s New Democrats,” Singh declared. “When there’s so much uncertainty, with Donald Trump threatening trade wars and annexation, we need leaders who won’t put health care, pensions, or vital services on the negotiating table.”
He closed with a rallying cry: “Across this country, New Democrats will fight for you. In Ottawa Centre, that’s Joel Harden. Across Canada, it’s all of us standing up for working people.”
Jagmeet Singh’s Political Legacy and Present Focus
Born on January 2, 1979, in Scarborough, Ontario, Singh built his political career on values of equity and justice. As an Ontario MPP and later the first person of color to lead a major federal party in Canada, Singh focused on climate action, universal pharmacare, and affordable housing.
While his leadership has not been without controversy—including scrutiny over remarks linked to the Khalistan movement and tensions over his stance toward the Liberal minority government—Singh has remained a fierce advocate for social justice.
