Prime Minister Justin Trudeau charged taxpayers $81,428 for household groceries in the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to access to information records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF).
Over two years, his total food expenses reached $157,642, with taxpayers covering 83% of the costs.
The CTF revealed Trudeau spent $188,864 for “food and food preparation” between 2021 and 2023.
Taxpayers paid $157,642 of that amount, while the rest was reimbursed by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The figures have sparked criticism as Canadians grapple with soaring grocery prices.
“The fact that Trudeau spent more on food than what the average Canadian worker makes in an entire year is outrageous,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director.
“Here’s a crazy idea: how about the prime minister pays for their own groceries like everyone else.”
The average Canadian family spent $29,989 on groceries in 2022 and 2023 combined, according to Canada’s Food Price Report.
That equals about $288 weekly.
In contrast, Trudeau’s taxpayer-funded grocery bills averaged $1,515 per week, over five times higher.
The Privy Council Office, which manages the prime minister’s residence expenses, stated Trudeau’s reimbursements are calculated using Statistics Canada data adjusted for inflation.
“The prime minister reimburses amounts related to food based on Statistics Canada data on household spending, which is adjusted using the consumer price index to account for inflation,” according to the records.
However, the records do not specify how much was spent on personal groceries versus official events hosted at his residence.
In 2022-23, Trudeau’s total grocery costs hit $97,645, with taxpayers covering $81,428.
The previous year, his expenses totaled $91,218, leaving taxpayers responsible for $76,214.
Terrazzano argued taxpayers should not foot the bill for the prime minister’s personal groceries.
“It’s one thing for the prime minister to bill taxpayers for government business, but taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for a single cent of the prime minister’s personal groceries,” said Terrazzano.
“The current policy needs to change, the government needs to improve transparency on this spending, and anyone who wants to be the next prime minister needs to commit to not billing taxpayers for their personal groceries.”
The CTF is urging clearer spending rules over the prime minister’s grocery expenses and a commitment from future leaders to cover their own groceries.
Trudeau earns an annual salary of $406,200, which is nearly six times the average Canadian worker’s income of about $70,000.
Taxpayers also fund his personal chef, who earns between $68,468 and $79,234 per year.
Since becoming prime minister in 2015, Trudeau has lived at Rideau Cottage, a 22-room mansion on the grounds of Rideau Hall.
However, his meals are prepared at the official prime minister’s residence, 24 Sussex Drive, which has stood empty since 2015, and transported to his current home by courier.
A National Post story found taxpayers paid an average of $57,538 annually for Trudeau’s groceries between 2015 and 2022.
The latest figures mark a sharp increase, drawing scrutiny during a national affordability crisis.
“While Canadians have been tightening their belts during a cost-of-living crisis, Trudeau was sparing no expense,” said Terrazzano.
“The prime minister’s salary is nearly six times more than the average Canadian’s, and he lives in a taxpayer-funded mansion, so surely he doesn’t need to stick taxpayers with huge grocery bills.”