As the federal budget inches closer to becoming passed in the House of Commons, one local charity says it missed the mark on poverty and food insecurity.

In a statement, Feed Nova Scotia says they, along with organizations across the food security sector, have already called on the government for a benefit to help low-income households afford basic needs.

The organization says it is deeply disheartening that in Budget 2025, that call was not answered.

“There is little in this budget to counter the ever-escalating costs for essentials, including food,” says Sue Kelleher, Director of Community Partnerships, Innovation and Advocacy.

“No commitment to expand desperately needed income supports, build a stronger safety net, or implement any sort of meaningful changes to help people afford to live.”

Feed Nova Scotia says, considering the impact of tariffs, it was disappointing the Budget did not have more of a focus on food sovereignty, with only a temporary expansion for EI.

“Federal income supports offer up a patchwork of assistance that fails to bring recipients up to the poverty line,” says Kelleher.

“In a country that sees more than 2 million food bank visits every month, a number that continues to rise every year, we expected to see more action to support struggling Canadians,” adds Kelleher.

“If things don’t change soon, I’m more than certain we will be in this exact spot, asking for the same things, this time next year. Our neighbours are going hungry. A budget that focuses on military defence and capital infrastructure isn’t going to change anything for them.”