Regional councillor claims food bank ‘overwhelmed’ with students, seeks report [Video]

A Region of Waterloo Councillor wants a report on how post-secondary students accessing food services in the community is affecting the programs.

Councillor Doug Craig raised concerns during a meeting of the Community and Health Services Committee on Tuesday. He was responding to a report on local immigration and demographic changes. The report found temporary study and work permits more than doubled between 2018 and 2022, saying the difference was largely from international students.

Councillor Craig said he wants regional staff to look what impact the students are having on food services.

“The food bank, certain organizations that provide free lunches usually to the homeless, are now being overwhelmed,” Craig said. “Trinity Table at Trinity Church. They have three times a week, they have free lunches and they’re getting overwhelmed by students. I think we have to deal with that somehow,” Craig said.

The Trinity Community Table said it is aware of the increase in number of …