Gretzky: Ford makes life more unaffordable while costs continue to soar

WINDSOR — A slight decrease in grocery costs still leaves Windsor-Essex residents no closer to an affordable life, experts say.

Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Children, Community, and Social Services Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West) points to the consequences of the Ford government’s inaction on affordability.

“The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is telling us that it costs $271 per week to feed a family of four,” said Gretzky. “This is completely unsustainable for many families in Windsor West.

“Doug Ford’s jobs disaster has left our community with Canada’s highest rate of unemployment, and no plan to fix it. How are people supposed to feed their children?”

The 2025 Real Cost of Eating Well in Windsor-Essex reported that families of four have an average total monthly income of $2,994, while paying an estimated $1,267 in monthly rent and $1,181.08 for food, leaving just $545.92 to cover any other expenses.

The news breaks as the Ford government attempts to pass Bill 60; exposing Ontarians to soaring rent increases and unfair evictions.

“Life has never been more unaffordable in Ontario,” Gretzky added. “Most people in Windsor-Essex have less than $1,000 per month to cover anything outside of their essential expenses, and Ford has starved social assistance programs of critical funding, making the situation even more grim for those who rely on these programs.

“If food insecurity wasn’t bad enough, now the Premier wants to make housing more precarious. Is the Conservatives’ only goal to make life more unaffordable? Ontario urgently needs a plan to address the affordability crisis. Lives are at stake.”

New Democrats will continue fighting for a more affordable Ontario, and to increase life-saving funding to social assistance programs including Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).