Facing the Impact: Brian Markle Responds to U.S. Tariffs, Food Shortages & Addiction Crises in Canada
With rising concerns over new U.S. tariffs affecting Canadian imports, families across the country are bracing for a new wave of food shortages and higher grocery bills. These economic shifts are hitting the most vulnerable populations hardest—those already facing poverty, mental health struggles, and addiction.
Brian Markle, an Addiction and Community Services Worker (ACSW), CASCC advocate, and member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is taking real steps to help people who are already stretched thin. Through his outreach, he’s turning rising pressure into purposeful action.
“When food becomes a privilege and not a right, the community must step in,” Markle shared. “We can’t wait for policy changes—people are hungry now.”
Rising Food Costs: A Direct Threat to Canadian Families
With tariffs targeting agriculture, food distribution, and cross-border trade, the cost of staples like dairy, produce, and meat is expected to spike in the coming months. Already, food banks are feeling the squeeze—and so are working families.
Markle recognizes that these changes don’t just affect what's on the table—they affect mental health, stability, and a person’s sense of dignity. That’s why he's expanding partnerships with ministries and grassroots organizations already in the trenches.
Partnering for Impact: Supporting Food Access & Recovery
Markle is now collaborating with food programs like Fire of God Ministries Ottawa, Pastor Alex, Pastor Sue Landry, Marie Pyper, and Chaplain Cindy Orleck, - helping facilitate food donations from local grocery stores and suppliers. These partnerships are vital for keeping shelves stocked and families fed, especially in underserved neighbourhoods.
Through his ongoing outreach work, Markle is also working with individuals facing alcohol and drug addiction, with a special focus on those suffering silently through the economic downturn.
As someone who is actively working their own recovery through AA, Markle understands the unique pressure addiction places on individuals already overwhelmed by financial uncertainty.