Facts of Canadian Poverty Updated Winter 2021

We are here to discuss uncomfortable truths within our Canadian society. The truth is that poverty is a huge contributing factor to the increased likelihood of an individual being affected by mental health conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD …etc.

The real question is why the Canadian "poverty gap" (which is measuring how far people on average fall below the official line of poverty) grew from 31.8% in 2015 to 33.4% in 2018 and is continuing to grow slowly according to Statistic Canada.

The data suggests that there has already been a divide in food and housing insecurity and now there is a digital divide ( a barrier faced by students due to unreliable internet or inappropriate devices to connect to educational resources) that is once again adding to more financial struggles for low-income families/individuals.

CTA to make changes to these narratives:

- Advocate and align with groups that call on the government to consider policies that support low-income Canadians

- Lend your voice and vote in favour of easing eligibility requirements for the existing financial assistance programs

- Spotlight attention and urge policy-makers to re-evaluate consideration for Ontario's basic income pilot project (cancelled last March by the Ford Government)

Thanks for reading and please if possible donate, support, or volunteer at local food banks or fresh food initiatives in your community!

- Articulate Tee