A photo of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland lauding the federal government’s grocery rebate payment has prompted Canadians to accuse the Liberal government of removing the prices of basic goods from the shelves in the picture’s background.
On Wednesday, Freeland announced that 11 million low and modest income Canadians received a one-time rebate payment to offset the high cost of groceries due to inflation.
Many Twitter users pointed out that the price tags of the produce behind the minister were no longer there. Freeland made the announcement at Rabba Fine Foods in Toronto, Ontario – a high end convenience supermarket.
The advocacy group Canada Proud sent somebody to investigate the store and found that the price tags were missing from the aisle Freeland had set up her podium in front of.
“The Liberals are so proud of the way they (are) ‘Making Life More Affordable” for Canadians that they removed the price tags off food shelves,” wrote Twitter user Kirk Lubimov.
Others joined in on pillorying the Trudeau government for overseeing one of the severest inflationary periods in recent Canadian history and using a photo op to distract from reality.
“I can’t help but notice that their photo op didn’t take place at a No Frills, but what appears to be a rather swanky grocery store,” replied user Andreas.
I can’t help but notice that their photo op didn’t take place at a No Frills, but what appears to be a rather swanky grocery store.
— Andreas 🇨🇦⚔️🇨🇦 (@DonPepitoAndy) July 6, 2023
Others criticized the Liberals for obscuring the fact that taxpayers were the ones paying for the rebates.
“I love how they make out like the money is coming from some special bank account that magically appears when they want to look like the good guys! IT IS OUR MONEY – STOP SPENDING MY TAX DOLLARS LIKE I HAVE BOTTOMLESS POCKETS!” tweeted VanCity Cam.
I love how they make out like the money is coming from some special Liberal bank account that magically appears when they want to look like the good guys! IT IS OUR MONEY – STOP SPENDING MY TAX DOLLARS LIKE I HAVE BOTTOMLESS POCKETS!!!!!!!
— VanCity Cam (@VanCityCams) July 6, 2023
Twitter user Aaron Ottho accused the Liberals of covering up the prices because they were “too embarrassed” by the reality Canadians have to struggle with.
Over the past few years, Canadians have seen food prices soar. According to the Royal Bank of Canada, food prices have soared by 18% since 2021.
“Prices at the grocery store have remained stubbornly high, driving up the cost of living for all Canadians. The rapid rise that began in 2021 didn’t peak until this January. And as of April, food prices were still 8.3% higher than a year ago,” wrote analysts.
