麻豆传媒

Canada

    • 1.3 million children lived in poverty in Canada in 2019: report

    A child covers their face in a doorway (Pixabay on Pexels) A child covers their face in a doorway (Pixabay on Pexels)
    Share
    Barrie -

    Nearly one in five children in Canada lived in poverty in 2019, a new report has found.

    The , published Wednesday by Campaign 200 -- a non-partisan, pan-Canadian network of 120 national, provincial and community partner organizations working to end child and family poverty -- found that in 2019, 1.3 million children, or 17.7 per cent, were living below the Census Family Low Income Tax Measure After Tax (CFLIM-AT).

    What鈥檚 more, the research found child poverty rates were even higher among children across Canada under the age of six at 18.5 per cent.

    鈥淭he higher poverty rate for children at this important age of development is of critical concern given the life-long impact poverty has on educational and occupational attainment,鈥 the report, titled 'No One Left Behind: Strategies for an Inclusive Recovery,' reads.

    According to the report, the child poverty rate declined by only half a percentage point between 2018 and 2019.

    鈥淥ur year over year analysis shows that only 24,000 kids were lifted out of poverty in 2019,鈥 Leila Sarangi, national director of Campaign 2000, said in a press release. 鈥淎t this rate, it would take another 54 years to end child poverty.鈥

    Children are now also living in deeper poverty in Canada.

    The report found the average single-family with two children living in low income was $13.262 away from the CFLIM-AT in 2019. This marks a significant increase from the $9,612 in 2015.

    鈥淭his highlights a concerning trend,鈥 the report reads. 鈥淭he families and children that remain in poverty are further from the poverty line than in previous years.鈥

    The report suggests a parent making $15 an hour living below the poverty line would need to work another 5.5 months full-time, without taxes or reductions in order to reach it.

    While child poverty remains an issue across Canada, the rate was highest in Nunavut at 34.4 per cent.

    Meanwhile, Manitoba recorded the highest child poverty rate among the country鈥檚 provinces, at 28.4 per cent.

    According to the report, only Quebec, Alberta, Ontario and Yukon recorded child poverty rates below the national average.

    SYSTEMIC INEQUALITY

    Shalini Konanur is a lawyer and Executive Director of the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario and Steering Committee Member of the Colour of Poverty 鈥 Colour of Change.

    Konanur said the report 鈥渃ritically highlights the circumstances of low-income immigrants, refugees and non-status people, a majority of whom are racialized.鈥

    鈥淭hese communities have been hard hit by the impact of COVID-19 with higher rates of unemployment, poverty, gender-based violence, and poor health outcomes,鈥 Konanur said in the press release.

    The report said 2016 census data suggests child poverty rates were much higher than the national average among racialized and immigrant communities.

    According to the report, 25.5 per cent of racialized children and 35 per cent of immigrant children were living in poverty.

    Konanur said priority must be given to 鈥渞educing the barriers created by racism and discrimination to universalize access to income supports for all people in Canada, tackling barriers to better labour market outcomes for racialized people and concretely addressing the increasing racialization of poverty in Canada.鈥

    Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty, said over 41 per cent of people living in poverty are disabled.

    鈥淧eople with disabilities were facing financial hardship prior to the pandemic and are faced with even more disadvantages now,鈥 Khedr, who is also the Founder of DEEN Support Services and Race and Disability Canada, said in the press release.

    鈥淭hey are wondering whether they will even be included in any recovery plans. Some people with disabilities are considering end of life because they cannot afford to live,鈥 Khedr continued.

    WHAT 麻豆传媒 THE CANADA CHILD BENEFIT?

    The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment sent to families to help cover some of the costs associated with raising children.

    However, the report said the poverty reduction from the benefit will 鈥渃ontinue to stall鈥 because it cannot help move families living in 鈥渄eep poverty鈥 out of it.

    The report said the maximum CCB allocation is $6,639 for each child under the age of six. That number drops to $5,602 for children six to 17-years-old.

    The authors call for the federal government to increase CCB allocations in the 2022 budget so 鈥渁ll families with low incomes below the CFLIM-AT can access CCB pandemic top-up amounts, no matter the age of their children.鈥

    They also say investments should be made 鈥渟ubstantially鈥 to the base amount of the CCB, to 鈥渆nsure that it supports an interim target of a 50 per cent reduction in child poverty by 2025 according to the CFLIM-AT calculated using tax filer data.鈥

    In the speech from the throne on Tuesday, Canada鈥檚 Governor General Mary Simon touted the Canada Child Benefit, saying it has 鈥渁lready helped lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty," adding it will 鈥渃ontinue increasing to keep up with the cost of living.鈥

    REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

    Included in the report are a host of recommendations the authors say will help with poverty reduction across the country.

    The 60 recommendations cover a variety of topics such as housing, income security, childcare, healthcare and worker wages, and include strategies to address systemic inequalities.

    The report recommends plans be developed to prevent, reduce and eradicate poverty in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis governments, and organizations, including women鈥檚 and 2SLGBQQIA+ organizations.

    The authors also urge 鈥渋mmediate action鈥 on the government鈥檚 commitment to ending homelessness in accordance with Canada鈥檚 international human rights obligations. They also called for the definition of 鈥渃hronic homelessness鈥 to be reassessed.

    Worker wages must be adequate, and at minimum up to CFLIM-AT, the report notes, with the authors calling for equal pay and benefits for all workers to be legislated.

    Further, the report suggests work must be done with provinces and territories to implement 鈥渙perational funding鈥 of childcare programs based on a sliding scale from $0 to $10 daily.

    In the press release, Sarangi said there are 鈥渓ots of opportunities right now with the start of a new mandate of a minority government.鈥

    鈥淲e鈥檝e reflected on what we have learnt through the pandemic, and we need to apply those lessons and start closing the gaps on inequality for good,鈥 Sarangi said.

    鈥淭he potential for a resilient, connected future where the norm is that everyone thrives is in our reach,鈥 she continued. 鈥淲e now need the political will and action.鈥

    The report鈥檚 authors say they are urging the government to take 鈥渋mmediate and bold action to eradicate child poverty.鈥 

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    An Edmonton man says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was injured by members of the Edmonton Police Service last year.

    BREAKING

    BREAKING

    The brother of a 27-year-old man who was fatally shot in Scarborough over the weekend has been arrested and charged in connection with his death, say police.

    • One man is dead and another injured after a shooting in Langley Saturday evening that homicide investigators say is gang-related.

    • Anyone needing emergency care in a city in B.C.鈥檚 southern Interior will need to seek help elsewhere until Monday, as the latest ER closure in the region has shuttered the department鈥檚 doors for 25 hours.

    • The two top contenders in British Columbia's provincial election dove deep into the various issues plaguing the Metro Vancouver area on Sunday, in some cases hearing directly from those most affected.

    • BREAKING

      BREAKING

      The brother of a 27-year-old man who was fatally shot in Scarborough over the weekend has been arrested and charged in connection with his death, say police.

    • Roads have reopened near Union Station following a suspicious package investigation on Sunday afternoon.

    • Toronto police have arrested three people and they are looking for two others in connection with an alleged fraud that saw a man and his daughter bilked out of more than $18,000.

    • The City of Calgary ended water restrictions for the city at a Sunday morning update.

    • Nearly 100 Inglewood residents rallied Saturday afternoon in a continuing effort to save the Inglewood Aquatic Centre.

    • Nick Kolomyja reckons axe throwing may have saved his life.

    • With CTV broadcasting NFL football games on Sundays this season, 麻豆传媒 at Six with Austin Lee will be broadcasting live on our website and the 麻豆传媒 App.

    • Thousands participated in the 17th annual Canada Army Run Sunday in the capital's downtown.

    • A local vendors market with a Taylor Swift theme took place this Sunday in Ottawa.

    • Provincial police (SQ) are looking for 29-year-old Kelsey Watt, who went missing in Hemmingford, Que.

    • Nearly 15,000 runners pounded the pavement on Sunday in the 32nd edition of Montreal鈥檚 Bereva Marathon.

    • 麻豆传媒 Montreal at Six for Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 with anchor Matt Gilmour.

    • An Edmonton man says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was injured by members of the Edmonton Police Service last year.

    • One person is dead after an early morning crash in west Edmonton.

    • Dovercourt residents gathered on Sunday to protest a new Hope Mission shelter that will soon open in an old warehouse near Yellowhead Trail and 149 Street.

    • Saint John Theatre Company鈥檚 鈥淲aiting for Godot鈥 stars former "Corner Gas" star Eric Peterson, and R.H. Thomson, known for his role in "Anne with an E."

    • A 76-year-old man who was reported missing Saturday in Annapolis District, N.S., has been found deceased.

    • Manitoba RCMP and community members are still feverishly searching for a six-year-old boy who went missing five days ago.

    • Winnipeg police called in the bomb unit Saturday night after a suspicious item was found in a Centennial neighbourhood back lane.

    • While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.

    • Fire officials are investigating after a fire completely destroyed the community fridge in the Cathedral neighbourhood.

    • The last two months after losing her daughter Bella have been extremely difficult for Kyla Thomson.

    • Regina police arrested three youths in connection to a bear mace incident at a Regina high school on Friday.

    • Brantford, Ont. residents were met with an unexpected sight on Saturday evening as a suspected funnel cloud appeared in the skies above the city.

    • Police were called to a business in the area of University Avenue East and Weber Street North at around 10:40 p.m. Saturday for a report of a man attempting to stab another man.

    • Police said the pedestrian, a 52-year-old man, was taken to an out-of-region hospital with life-threatening injuries and the driver of the vehicle failed to remain at the scene.

    • A 14-year-old girl from Flying Dust First Nation was killed after a high-speed ATV struck a ditch near Meadow Lake.

    • The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.

    • A 53-year-old woman from north Vancouver, B.C. was killed after a semi and truck collided on Highway 16 near Dafoe.

    • There were no injuries reported after a home on Regent Street near Douglas Street in Greater Sudbury鈥檚 west end on Sunday morning.

    • Ontario鈥檚 police watchdog is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police officer discharged his firearm at a 36-year-old man in near Moonbeam, Ont., on Friday night.

    • Wage increases, new paid holidays and a big signing bonus are part of the new contract for CAMI employees in Ingersoll, Ont.

    • video

      video

      The most popular hockey podcasters on the planet brought some major attention to the Forest City this weekend with the annual Chiclets Cup.

    • The identity of a motorcyclist has been revealed by loved ones on social media following Friday鈥檚 fatal south end collision in London. The London Police Service has not released anything regarding the driver鈥檚 identity.

    • One man is in police custody after fabricating a story to police and reporting his vehicle was stolen.

    • Fire crews worked to extinguish a fire at a tent encampment in Barrie on Sunday.

    • A year after being recognized as one of 19 鈥楤ee Campuses鈥 by Bee City Canada, Georgian College continues to promote the importance of bees to agriculture, the economy and education.

    • Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is reporting that it鈥檚 above the provincial target for sudden cardiac arrest response times.

    • video

      video

      The Amherstburg Uncommon Festival is living up to its name with the addition of a drone light show 鈥 a first for Essex County.

    • The St. Clair College Saints were in Oshawa over the weekend as they faced Durham College.

    • Work crews have been busy in the British Columbia legislature over the summer, prying apart desks in the historic chamber and piling them up in hallways as they tried to work out how to fit in six more seats.

    • The two top contenders in British Columbia's provincial election dove deep into the various issues plaguing the Metro Vancouver area on Sunday, in some cases hearing directly from those most affected.

    • A Victoria woman is now $1 million richer after winning a Maxmillions prize on a recent Lotto Max Draw.

    • A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.

    • The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.

    • Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls 鈥 including one that gave birth to 10 puppies 鈥 from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.

    • Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Way鈥檚 annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.

    • Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

    • The Royal Canadian Mint has introduced its latest Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin 鈥 made entirely from gold sourced from a single mine in northern Ontario

    • A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.

    • Following an outbreak of COVID-19 on its continuing care floor and just ahead of the flu season, St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital in Elliot Lake has opted to re-introduce a universal masking policy until further notice.

    N.L.

    Local Spotlight

    Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

    Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

    An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

    They say a dog is a man鈥檚 best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

    A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

    Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

    The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

    It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    • The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a nickname for the opposition鈥檚 end zone. They refer to it as the 鈥渃hicken box.鈥

    • Jonathan Aranda homered for the second consecutive game, helping Taj Bradley and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Saturday.

    • Kiefer Sherwood spent several nights last spring chasing Quinn Hughes around the ice and generally pestering the Vancouver Canucks.

    Autos

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆传媒. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆传媒