On this Christmas Day, Quinte News is looking back at 2023, with Northumberland-Peterborough South Member of Parliament Phillip Lawrence.
He echoes many of the comments we have heard from local officials and politicians, that affordability was the main issue in the riding.
“Inflation’s certainly the underlying cause. I think many of the residents would use different words, seeing the prices going up in the grocery store. Just in terms of just a general affordability crisis.”
Rent/mortgages and interest rates made it difficult for thousands in the area.
He says this was also evident in the number of people reaching out to social safety nets, including local food banks.
A highlight for Lawrence is a bill which began in Northumberland County and grew and evolved into Bill-234. Bill 206 began as a bill to fight for relief for farmers.
” … changed into Bill 234, which was to give relief to farmers from the Carbon Tax. It made it through the House (of Commons), we’re still fighting for it for the Senate, but fighting for relief for Canadians.”
