Grocery day has arrived once again, and I move carefully through the aisles, inspecting each item before placing it into my cart. Around me, other shoppers are doing the same — all of us checking labels to see where the products we buy were made.
As a proud Canadian, I strongly believe in the “Buy Canadian” movement, especially during this time of heightened trade tensions with the United States.
Supporting Canadian businesses feels more important now than ever.
Yet despite my passion for supporting local producers, the reality is that I can’t always afford to do so.
The cost of living has climbed steeply, and it’s affecting my family deeply.
My husband and I live in Charlottetown, and although our incomes have remained relatively stable, our expenses have surged.
Groceries, electricity, internet services, and even our cellphone bills have increased sharply over the past few years.
Once comfortably middle class, we now find ourselves navigating life on a much tighter budget.
Each grocery trip is a balancing act — trying to support Canadian products when possible but often being forced to choose cheaper imports instead.
The financial strain we face has made this federal election incredibly personal to me.
Who I vote for has never felt more important.
It’s about more than political ideology; it’s about finding a government that understands the everyday struggles Canadians like us are experiencing.
It’s about making choices that will secure a better future for my family and community.
This election, my priority is clear: addressing the soaring cost of living must be at the top of the agenda.
I want leaders who will put real solutions on the table — solutions that make it easier for Canadians to buy Canadian, live sustainably, and thrive.
Voting this year feels like one of the most significant decisions I have ever made.
It’s a vote for stability, affordability, and hope.
And it’s a vote for a Canada where supporting Canadian businesses isn’t a luxury but an everyday choice we all can afford.