Social media reacts to $12M government funding for 'rich corporation' Loblaw

Apr 11 2019, 12:23 am

Canadians are taking to social media to criticize the federal government’s funding of $12 million into Loblaw, a hugely profitable grocery chain. The funding is intended to help the company convert the refrigeration systems in approximately 370 stores across Canada over the next three years.

The government’s announcement comes a week after the federal carbon tax went into effect, and according to a news release, the investment is expected to reduce Loblaw’s annual emissions by approximately 23 per cent.

“Canadians across the country are coming up with innovative and affordable solutions to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions, saving people money and creating good jobs along the way,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna in a statement Monday.

However, Canadians are questioning the decision to invest in Loblaw to help them save money, given that the company reported $221 million in profit in its fourth quarter.

Opposition politicians also weighed in on Twitter, with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh saying the government is “prioritizing handouts to rich corporations” and People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier saying “corporate parasites” prefer “lobbying politicians” to “offering a better product or service.”

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