17.32°C Vancouver

Jun 16, 2022 7:31 PM - The Canadian Press

Freeland touts previously announced measures to combat hot inflation

Share On
freeland-touts-previously-announced-measures-to-combat-hot-inflation
Amid stubbornly hot inflation and rising interest rates, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland detailed financial commitments to ``help make life more affordable for millions of Canadians'', but the measures were all previously announced. (Photo - Chrystia Freeland/Jagmeet Singh/Twitter)

Amid stubbornly hot inflation and rising interest rates, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland detailed financial commitments to ``help make life more affordable for millions of Canadians'', but the measures were all previously announced.

Freeland delivered a keynote address about the state of the Canadian economy at the Empire Club of Canada in downtown Toronto on Thursday afternoon.

In her speech, Freeland highlighted the federal government's ``Affordability Plan,'' which she referred to as a suite of measures totalling $8.9 billion in new support for Canadians in 2022.

The measures were all included the past two federal budgets and are now taking effect.

Freeland called recent skyrocketing inflation a ``global phenomenon'' that is being driven by lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing lockdowns in China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Last month, Statistics Canada reported the inflation rate for April rose 6.8 per cent compared with a year ago.

That's the highest since January 1991.

The federal agency is expected to release May's inflation report next week.

Latest news

alberta-government-meets-grocers-on-food-prices-as-affordability-concerns-grow
AlbertaApr 20, 2026

Alberta government meets grocers on food prices as affordability concerns grow

The Alberta government says it is meeting with major grocery retailers as part of an effort to address rising food costs, according to a statement from Service Alberta. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said food prices have increased across Canada and globally, and the province is engaging with grocery operators to explore ways to reduce costs for Albertans. The statement did not outline specific measures under consideration or a timeline for potential changes. Premier Danielle Smith also addressed the issue during her provincewide radio show on Saturday, saying many residents are frustrate
canadian-armed-forces-exceed-recruitment-targets-for-second-straight-year-defence-minister-says
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Canadian Armed Forces exceed recruitment targets for second straight year, defence minister says

Canada’s military has surpassed its annual recruitment targets for a second consecutive year, according to Defence Minister David McGuinty, signalling renewed interest among younger Canadians in joining the armed forces. McGuinty said more than 7,300 people enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces over the past year. According to the Department of National Defence, the recruitment goal for 2025–26 was 6,957 new members, which has now been exceeded. The previous year also saw higher-than-expected intake, with 6,706 recruits joining against a target of 6,496. The federal government attributes t
IndiaApr 20, 2026

Bus crash in Indian-administered Kashmir kills 21, dozens injured

At least 21 people were killed and about 45 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a mountainous highway and plunged down a steep slope in Indian-administered Kashmir on Monday, according to local authorities. Civil administrator Prem Singh said the 42-seat bus was carrying more than 60 passengers from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it collided with an auto-rickshaw at a sharp curve. The impact caused the bus to lose control and fall approximately 30 metres onto a lower road. Officials said 19 people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to
7-4-magnitude-earthquake-off-northern-japan-prompts-tsunami-alert
WorldApr 20, 2026

7.4-magnitude earthquake off northern Japan prompts tsunami alert

A powerful offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck near Japan’s northern coast on Monday afternoon, prompting a tsunami alert for parts of the region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at approximately 4:53 p.m. local time off the Sanriku coast, at a depth of about 10 kilometres beneath the seabed. Authorities issued a tsunami alert shortly after the tremor, warning of potentially hazardous sea-level changes along affected coastal areas. Public broadcaster NHK reported that waves of up to three metres could reach parts of the northeastern
canada-inflation-rises-to-2-4-in-march-driven-by-gasoline-prices
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Canada inflation rises to 2.4% in March, driven by gasoline prices

Canada’s annual inflation rate increased to 2.4 per cent in March, up from 1.8 per cent in February, according to a report released Monday by Statistics Canada. The agency said this marks the highest level recorded since December of last year. According to Statistics Canada, the increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in gasoline prices. The report links the surge to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, which have affected global oil markets. Gasoline prices rose 21.2 per cent on a monthly basis in March, representing one of the largest increases on record, the agency

Related News