Sociology

Poverty in Canada

Poverty in Canada

By Krista Cameron & Jamie CueBy Krista Cameron & Jamie Cue

Poverty in Canada Today

Poverty in Canada Today

• Most children, the disabled, single mothers and immigrants

• 33,000 homeless in 2006• 1/3 under 25 years of age• Turn to prostitution, panhandling, crimes to survive• Thousands more survive on social assistance,

disability employment etc..

• Most children, the disabled, single mothers and immigrants

• 33,000 homeless in 2006• 1/3 under 25 years of age• Turn to prostitution, panhandling, crimes to survive• Thousands more survive on social assistance,

disability employment etc..

• In 2005 823,856 Canadians used a food bank

• Since 1989 food bank use increased 118%

• 650 food banks across Canada• 41% clients are children

• In 2005 823,856 Canadians used a food bank

• Since 1989 food bank use increased 118%

• 650 food banks across Canada• 41% clients are children

• 1.7 million children on welfare income

• 547,000 working at or below minimum wage in their province

• To live above LICO standards you need to make $10/hr full-time year round

• 1.7 million children on welfare income

• 547,000 working at or below minimum wage in their province

• To live above LICO standards you need to make $10/hr full-time year round

Ages of Under waged Workers

Ages of Under waged Workers

under 2525-54other

Feminization of PovertyFeminization of Poverty• 57% of poor adults

are women• 1 in 3 single

mothers are poor• 10% for single

fathers• 3% for teenage

mothers• 70% unattached

women over 65

• 57% of poor adults are women

• 1 in 3 single mothers are poor

• 10% for single fathers

• 3% for teenage mothers

• 70% unattached women over 65

Poverty of ChildrenPoverty of Children• Canada ranked

19/26 developed countries in child poverty

• 1980-2001 # of immigrated children grew 22%-39%

• Canada ranked 19/26 developed countries in child poverty

• 1980-2001 # of immigrated children grew 22%-39%

ReasonsReasonsParents are:• Unemployed• Underemployed• Inadequately paid• Reduced social welfare support

Interesting FactAboriginal children that do not live on reserve have almost

same poverty rate as non-aboriginal child

Parents are:• Unemployed• Underemployed• Inadequately paid• Reduced social welfare support

Interesting FactAboriginal children that do not live on reserve have almost

same poverty rate as non-aboriginal child

Changing Faces of Poverty

Changing Faces of Poverty

• Rate fluctuate with health of economy• Rich get richer poor get poorer• From 1993-2003 poor families income

increased 8% • Wealthy families income increased 35%• Poverty for seniors decreased from

1980-2004 34%-5.6%

• Rate fluctuate with health of economy• Rich get richer poor get poorer• From 1993-2003 poor families income

increased 8% • Wealthy families income increased 35%• Poverty for seniors decreased from

1980-2004 34%-5.6%

Poverty of Young AdultsPoverty of Young Adults

• 1/2 young adults in Canada not completed post secondary qualifications

• Result: poorly educated workers trapped in part-time dead end minimum wage jobs

• Because lack of economic instability many young adults live at home

• 1/2 young adults in Canada not completed post secondary qualifications

• Result: poorly educated workers trapped in part-time dead end minimum wage jobs

• Because lack of economic instability many young adults live at home

Personal ExperiencePersonal Experience• Affects people’s lives, sense of self,

relationships with others• Feel cut-off from society• Media stereotypes poor families• People talk of hopelessness and

suicidal depression• Dealing with social workers is a

stressful situation for parents

• Affects people’s lives, sense of self, relationships with others

• Feel cut-off from society• Media stereotypes poor families• People talk of hopelessness and

suicidal depression• Dealing with social workers is a

stressful situation for parents

“To a degree society creates conditions to persistent poverty. A

stage to be deeply destructive on the level of the individual, the community, and the larger social order.” (Valetta,

2005; Reiman 2001)

“To a degree society creates conditions to persistent poverty. A

stage to be deeply destructive on the level of the individual, the community, and the larger social order.” (Valetta,

2005; Reiman 2001)

• All statistics taken from Society In Question by Robert J. Brym, copyright 2008 Chapter 11 “Poverty in Canada”

• All statistics taken from Society In Question by Robert J. Brym, copyright 2008 Chapter 11 “Poverty in Canada”