“More than one in seven Canadian children lives in poverty!”

“Canada earns a “B” and ranks 9th out of 17 peer countries in the Society report card. Canada’s middle-of-the-pack ranking means it is not living up to its reputation or potential.

Particularly troubling is the fact that the child poverty rates for children and the working-age population are among the worst of 17 leading developed countries. With more than 12 per cent of the working-age population living in poverty, Canada is in 15th place out of 17 countries—a “D” grade—ahead of only Japan and the United States. More than one in seven Canadian children lives in poverty—resulting in a 13th place ranking and a “C” grade.

Considering how wealthy this country is, these rates of poverty are unacceptable. Not only are we not making progress; we are losing ground. Even the poverty rate among seniors, where Canada ranks in 2nd place, doubled between 1995 and 2005.”

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