Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Amy Hamm: Carney's grocery bribe a cynical ploy to buy voter support

Keep your bribe, prime minister. We're not selling out for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

On Feb. 12, Parliament passed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s “Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit,” which promises low-income Canadians a cheque in the spring, as well as ongoing quarterly payments to help put steaks back on their dinner tables. (We all know that steak is, now, practically a luxury product in this country.)

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

On X, the prime minister gloated that this could mean upwards of 12 million Canadians will receive up to $1,890 in 2026. My, that’s 46 pounds of beef tenderloin steak per household, right there! Delicious.

Amy Hamm: Carney's grocery bribe a cynical ploy to buy voter support Back to video

Carney’s new benefit is certainly not going to make up for the Liberal Lost Decade, but it might trick Canadians into handing him a majority government — should he call a last-minute spring election. The quick cash could be a sign he may be planning to do just that. Beware.

This newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

Recall that Premier David Eby, prior to the October 2024 election, promised B.C. residents a $1,000 grocery rebate cheque, followed by an annual tax reduction for “household relief.” Then he won and reneged on his promise, blaming tariffs and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Amusingly, the now-broken promise remains on the NDP website. “It’s really tough out there for many families — inflation and interest rates have driven up the cost of daily essentials. People need help now so they can get ahead,” it reads.

Eby’s old promise sounds awfully similar to Carney’s new promise.

“The global landscape is rapidly changing, leaving economies, businesses, and workers under a cloud of uncertainty,” reads the backgrounder on the payout. “In response, Canada’s new government is focused on what we can control: building a stronger economy to make life more affordable for Canadians. The biggest payoffs in our plan will take time. However, we recognise that many Canadians are feeling the pressures of everyday expenses and need relief right now.”

It is a sad state of affairs when politicians responsible for the dismal state of our provincial or federal economies successfully hoodwink voters over a few bucks that they promise to mail out in a time of great need. There are few moves so transparently and ingratiatingly pandering as this one.

It makes sense that we are susceptible to this sort of political palm-greasing: too many Canadians are suffering economically. Food Banks Canada has raised the alarm on the record-breaking numbers of clients. The organization had 2.2 million visits in a single month in 2025. The most they’ve ever had. Immediate financial relief to the persons who need it is tempting, indeed.

Meanwhile, Carney’s finance department writes that “The biggest payoffs in our plan will take time.”

That line should infuriate us all. All the Liberals have had is time. They’ve been in power for more than a decade. And in that time, they’ve destroyed any notion of fiscal responsibility in Canada and normalized enormous deficit spending. (We expect to be paying $76.1 billion in annual debt payments by 2029-30, for instance.) Carney — whose poor reputation at the Bank of England preceded his abysmal new budget — shows no signs of being different than Justin Trudeau in this regard.

Trump's hockey gold medal celebration caps a politically charged Olympics in Milano-Cortina Olympics

Trump's hockey gold medal celebration caps a politically charged Olympics in Milano-Cortina

Canadians vacationing at popular Cancun resort hit hard by vomiting, cramps and diarrhea Canada

Canadians vacationing at popular Cancun resort hit hard by vomiting, cramps and diarrhea

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Video shows Nathan MacKinnon's priceless expression when handed Olympic stuffed animal Olympics

Video shows Nathan MacKinnon's priceless expression when handed Olympic stuffed animal

Tumbler Ridge survivor Maya Gebala, 12, undergoes 'emergency surgery': family Canada

Tumbler Ridge survivor Maya Gebala, 12, undergoes 'emergency surgery': family

Canadian citizens in Puerto Vallarta told to shelter in place as violence erupts after cartel leader's death Canada

Canadian citizens in Puerto Vallarta told to shelter in place as violence erupts after cartel leader's death

As former senator André Pratte argued in the Post last October, “Prime Minister Carney’s promise of a budget that will deliver both ‘austerity’ and ‘investment’ is more of the same, another subterfuge that will allow Ottawa to continue spending at will.”

The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is precisely that: Ottawa spending at will.

Yes, it would be great for many Canadian families to get a cheque in the mail right about now, but none of us should allow it to buy our next vote. And do not forget that the steaks on our tables will come at a terrible price, if Carney is indeed looking to secure a majority government after a snap election.

Keep your bribe, Carney.

Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

I tried the viral activewear brand POPFLEX: What to know before you buy Even Taylor Swift is a fan of the activewear brand created by Blogilates fitness instructor Cassey Ho 2 days ago Fashion

I tried the viral activewear brand POPFLEX: What to know before you buy

Even Taylor Swift is a fan of the activewear brand created by Blogilates fitness instructor Cassey Ho

Canadian concert tours: Hottest tickets in 2026 Andrea Bocelli, Don Toliver and TWICE are on sale now 2 days ago Music

Canadian concert tours: Hottest tickets in 2026

Andrea Bocelli, Don Toliver and TWICE are on sale now

Fashion resale is booming in Canada. Here's why ... Canadian fashion resale experts sound off on booming market. Read more ... 2 days ago Fashion & Beauty

Fashion resale is booming in Canada. Here's why ...

Canadian fashion resale experts sound off on booming market. Read more ...

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

How to take your kids skiing: Tips to enjoy the mountain with young ones Start small and get the right gear 2 days ago Kids

How to take your kids skiing: Tips to enjoy the mountain with young ones

Start small and get the right gear

Best standup comedy shows in Canada near you this week Jo Koy, Hannah Berner and Jimmy Carr are on sale now 2 days ago Entertainment

Best standup comedy shows in Canada near you this week

Jo Koy, Hannah Berner and Jimmy Carr are on sale now

© National Post