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Canadian food bank use hits 2.3 million monthly visits due to grocery costs: report
Food bank use in Canada hits 2.3M monthly visits
A new report from Food Banks Canada says the number of Canadians struggling with food insecurity continues to grow, as food bank visits hit a new record of more than 2.3 million in March.
The non-profit organization’s latest HungerCount report, released today, says the cost-of-living crisis and economic pressures are weighing heavily on nearly 10 million Canadians experiencing food insecurity.
Its annual survey recorded more than 2,355,000 visits to food banks across Canada in March 2026, an 8.7 per cent increase from the March 2025 record of more than two million visits.
The report says more than a third of this year’s food bank visits, or nearly 776,000, were made by children.
Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley says people are “running out of options” as they try to balance essential spending, such as paying rent, with rising grocery costs.
The HungerCount report says that since 2021, food prices increased by about 30 per cent, housing costs by 28 per cent and transportation by roughly 24 per cent.
One in five food banks across Canada are reportedly running out of food before meeting the needs of all their clients.
“A lot of folks who used to give to food banks are now finding themselves in need of those services," Beardsley said.
“A job is not enough to ensure that you are not in need of a food bank anymore," she added. "There’s no other room in their budget to do anything.”
Beardsley said the federal government's new Canada Groceries and Essential Benefit is one "positive investment,” but it’s not nearly enough to bridge the gap she's seeing at the community level or in northern regions, where groceries are sold at higher prices due to transport costs.
The report includes a number of policy recommendations, such as doubling the Canada Workers Benefit for low-income residents, expanding food sovereignty initiatives in the North and investing up to $500 million toward food bank infrastructure to meet the demand.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Sadeen Mohsen | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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This destination near Toronto has the best fall colours in Ontario and the views are stunning
Time for a last-minute fall adventure!
If you're hoping to enjoy the last of the fall colours, it's time to plan a road trip to this gorgeous Ontario spot.
With dazzling lakes framed by fiery trees, vibrant forests, cozy little villages, and leafy trails, the destination was basically made for autumn.
It's even been named the best fall colours destination in the province, so you can expect some pretty spectacular views.
Muskoka, Ontario, is a postcard-worthy region located around 2 hours from Toronto.
According to Discover Muskoka, it's home to "the best fall colours in Ontario." You can wander through red and gold forests, drive beneath vibrant canopies, and climb your way to lookouts over a sea of colour.
Bring your hiking boots! One of the best ways to experience Muskoka's colours is to stroll along the trails. According to Discover Muskoka, Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve offers "20 private lakes, 70 kilometres of trails, and 10,000+ acres of unspoiled wildlife," making it a gorgeous spot for a hike.
You don't want to miss out on a trip to Algonquin Provincial Park, a leaf-peeping hotspot that draws thousands of visitors in the autumn season.
Arrowhead Provincial Park and Hardy Lake Provincial Park are other natural areas worth exploring.
If you're up for a climb, Muskoka is home to several lookouts over a patchwork of fall colours.
You can visit the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower for towering treetop views. Reservations are required between September 19 and October 25.
Or, head to Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail, a 2.5 km loop overlooking Lake Muskoka.
Lions Lookout is another trail worth visiting. The hike offers gorgeous views of Huntsville, framed by rolling autumn hills.
If you'd rather enjoy the colours from the car, Muskoka has driving routes that take you through tunnels of red and gold leaves.
In addition to its scenic hikes and drives, Muskoka offers cozy villages filled with cafes and shops that add to its autumn charm. You can spend an afternoon wandering through towns like Bracebridge, Huntsville, Bala, and Port Carling.
It's time to put on your fuzziest scarf, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and enjoy the autumn scenery before the cold weather sets in.
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This elevated boardwalk trail near Toronto leads through a vibrant gorge with turquoise water
It's a magical spot to explore in the fall.
Looking for a last-minute fall hike? This stunning boardwalk trail is just a road trip from Toronto, and it takes you past some pretty spectacular scenery.
Open until the end of October, the route follows a rushing river through a gorge and features several observation decks that bring you right to the water's edge.
Niagara's White Water Walk is an epic natural attraction located about an hour and a half from Toronto.
The experience takes you past the Niagara River's Class 6 whitewater rapids, which are some of the "wildest" in North America.
The adventure begins with an elevator ride, which takes you down 70 metres to the base of the Niagara Gorge. You'll follow a winding quarter-mile boardwalk that traces the shoreline of the powerful Niagara River.
Along the way, you'll be treated to views of the 410-million-year-old rock layers of the Niagara Gorge and the churning turquoise river. There are a number of viewing platforms branching off the boardwalk that bring you even closer to the Whirlpool Rapids.
The views are even more stunning when surrounded by vibrant shades of red and orange during the fall.
If you're looking for more autumn adventures, you can explore some of Niagara Park's other destinations, such as the Niagara Glen, which boasts 4 kilometres of trails through a Carolinian Forest.
Or wander around the Dufferin Islands, home to 10 kilometres of "paradise."
You can also head to attractions like the Niagara Whirlpool Aero Car, Niagara Parks Power Station, the Butterfly Conservatory, and, of course, Niagara Falls itself.
The White Water Walk is open until Sunday, November 1, so there's still time for a last-minute fall hike.
White Water Walk
Price: $21 per adult
When: Until November 1, 2026
Address: 4330 River Rd., Niagara Falls, ON
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Des blagues sur les dénonciations font réagir au gala Les Olivier et Radio-Canada répond
Le dimanche 21 mars avait lieu le gala Les Olivier sur les ondes de Radio-Canada. Lors de cet événement qui célèbre le milieu de l'humour, des blagues concernant la vague de dénonciations d'inconduites et d'agressions sexuelles au sein du vedettariat québécois ont fait réagir sur les réseaux sociaux.
Sur Facebook, le commentaire d'un téléspectateur sur le sujet a même retenu l'attention de Radio-Canada, qui y a répondu.
La sélection de l'éditeur : 7 couples québécois qui sont en amour à l'écran comme dans la vraie vie
Les blagues en lien avec les dénonciations de l’été 2020
Au cours de la soirée dédiée aux humoristes québécois, quelques artistes ont fait référence à la vague de dénonciations qui a eu lieu en juillet et août 2020.
Dès le numéro d'ouverture, François Bellefeuille a mentionné la carrière de Julien Lacroix, alors qu'il a cessé ses activités après des allégations, ainsi que le retour de Maripier Morin à l'écran dans La Faille 2 et en tête d’affiche du nouveau film de Mariloup Wolfe.
Rosalie Vaillancourt, de son côté, s'est moquée du fait que la salle ne comptait qu'un nombre limité d'artistes et de spectateurs dû aux consignes de distanciation, en soulevant à la blague qu'elle ne pensait pas qu'autant de personnes du milieu avaient été dénoncées.
La réaction du public
Sur Twitter, le journaliste Hugo Dumas a cité la flèche de François Bellefeuille concernant Maripier Morin ainsi que la blague de Rosalie Vaillancourt.
Au moment de publier ces lignes, le tweet à propos de Maripier Morin cumule près de 300 likes et celui concernant Rosalie plus de 650.
Cela dit, sur la page Facebook de Radio-Canada, un commentaire mentionne avoir l'impression que les participants du gala s'acharnaient sur Julien Lacroix suite aux propos à son égard.
Le gestionnaire dudit compte Facebook a donc répondu publiquement à l'auteur du commentaire.
[rebelmouse-image 26010941 photo_credit="Radio-Canada | Facebook" expand=1 original_size="1170x230"] Radio-Canada | Facebook
La réponse de Radio-Canada face à Julien Lacroix
[rebelmouse-image 26010942 photo_credit="Radio-Canada | Facebook" expand=1 original_size="1178x558"] Radio-Canada | Facebook
Le 27 juillet 2020, un article paru dans Le Devoir a dévoilé que Julien Lacroix était visé par plusieurs allégations entourant des inconduites sexuelles.
Par la suite, l'agence de Julien a rompu ses liens avec celui-ci et l'humoriste a quitté les réseaux sociaux après s'être exprimé à deux reprises au sujet de la controverse.
Cinq mois plus tard, il a présenté une lettre d'excuses en janvier 2021 sur ses réseaux sociaux afin de parler de son processus thérapeutique, ce qui a suscité plusieurs réactions de la part des gens qui l'ont côtoyé.
Radio-Canada a donc répondu au commentaire en ajoutant le lien vers l'article parlant des neuf femmes qui l'ont dénoncé :
« On peut comprendre qu'un milieu veuille se distancier de cette personne. »
[rebelmouse-image 26010943 photo_credit="Radio-Canada | Facebook" expand=1 original_size="1064x522"] Radio-Canada | Facebook
Un internaute a ensuite répondu que ce n'était peut-être pas le moment de faire des blagues de la sorte, ce à quoi le diffuseur a répliqué que les humoristes « n'ont [actuellement] pas tant de tribunes aussi larges que ça » pour le faire.