CAMPAIGN 2000

Canada's Child Poverty Levels Not Budging - New report shows child poverty 'entrenched' in Canada over 25 Years

Press release - CNW Group on : November 24, 2006

TORONTO, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - The rate of child and family poverty in Canada has been stalled at 17-18% over the past 5 years despite strong economic growth and low unemployment, according to a new report by Campaign 2000. In fact, data from Statistics Canada shows that over the past 25 years Canada's child poverty rate has never dropped below the 15% level of 1989 when the House of Commons resolved to end child poverty.

Titled 'Oh Canada! Too Many Children in Poverty For Too Long,' the 2006 National Report Card on Child & Family Poverty shows that 1,196,000 children - almost 1 in every 6 children - live in poverty in Canada. In First Nations communities the child poverty rate is higher: 1 in every 4 children.

"Despite some claims to the contrary, Campaign 2000's review of Statistics Canada data since 1980 shows that Canada's high rate of child and family poverty is not declining. There are fluctuations depending on good economic times or bad, but we have not overcome the challenge of more than 1 million children living in poverty. It's time to honour our commitments to children," stated Laurel Rothman, National Coordinator for Campaign 2000.

"These disturbing findings demonstrate that we need political commitment to a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Canada with targets, timetables and funding. Countries like the United Kingdom have done this with success. We challenge the leaders of all political parties - including the Liberal leadership candidates - to make this commitment if they're serious about ending child poverty in our country." added Rothman.

For the first time the annual report includes poverty figures for children on First Nations reserves. "More First Nations children live in poverty than other Canadian children," stated Assembly of First Nations, Regional Chief for Ontario, Angus Toulouse. "This is a deplorable situation that can no longer be ignored, and should be unacceptable to all Canadians.

Eliminating child poverty among First Nations will require long-term commitment to the First Nations Plan for Creating Opportunity that addresses housing, economic development, education and all other areas needed to provide a safe and supportive environment for our children."

Commenting on unacceptably high child poverty rates for urban Aboriginal children, Vera Pawis Tabobondung, President of the National Association of Friendship Centres stated, "Federal Aboriginal programs provide little benefit for the 69% of Aboriginal peoples who live off-reserve. We need commitments to deal with urban aboriginal poverty."

The report also identifies higher than average poverty rates for children in immigrant families.

"According to the latest census 49% of children in recent immigrant families are living below the poverty line. Immigrants arriving in this country are the most highly educated and well qualified in Canadian history, yet so many are stuck in low wage jobs because their international experience and qualifications are not recognized by employers," commented Uzma Shakir, President of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. "New immigrants are key to the growth of Canada's labour force. But who will want to come if they find out their children are likely to be growing up in poverty? We join the call for political commitment for a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Canada with specific policies to address the barriers faced by new immigrants," she concluded.

Highlights from 'Oh Canada! Too Many Children in Poverty For Too Long:'

- Economic growth is not ending child poverty. The rate of child and family poverty has been stalled at 17-18% over the past 5 years despite strong economic growth and low unemployment.

- Growing proportion of working poor families. One-third (34%) of poor children live in families with at least one parent working full time, full year - up from 27% twelve years ago.

- Canada is a laggard on child care spending. Canada's expenditures on child care as a percentage of GDP are the lowest among OECD countries. Regulated child care spaces meet the needs of less than 16% of children; cancellation of federal child care agreements mean little prospect for improvement.

- Canada is one of the few countries without an affordable housing strategy. Two in every three low income families with children live in unaffordable housing.
- No province has reduced child poverty to less than 10%: British Columbia (23.5%) and Newfoundland & Labrador (23.1%) have the highest rates. Alberta's rate is 14.5% despite strong economic growth.

Quebec's investments in families have seen its rate steadily decline since 1997.
- Poor families are very poor. The average poor female lone parent family would need $9,400/year additional income just to bring them up to the poverty line.
- Public programs do help reduce child poverty. Without government transfer programs the poverty rate for low income families with children would have been 24%.

The provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador have developed provincial poverty reduction strategies. Campaign 2000 urges the Government of Canada, with the provinces, territories and First Nations, to develop a cross Canada Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Specific components should include: labour market initiatives with improved minimum wages, EI coverage and integration programs for immigrants; improved income supports by consolidating and increasing the child benefit to $5,000/child; investment in quality child care and new affordable housing; and more accessible post secondary education and training.

Laurel Rothman concluded saying, "Tax cuts only reduce the government's ability to make the investments needed to reduce child poverty. Canada has a proven track record in reducing poverty among seniors. We're in a strong fiscal position now to tackle child poverty - we need the political commitment to make it happen."

Provincial Child Poverty Report Cards were also released in BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. All reports are available at www.campaign2000.ca