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Archived - Even jobs are no guarantee against poverty
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Release of Poverty Profile 2001
For many Canadian families, having a job isn't a ticket out of poverty, but simply admission into the ranks of the working poor, the National Council of Welfare said today in its latest Poverty Profile.
Over 80 percent of poor two-parent families in Canada reported earnings from employment in 2001.
Half of poor two-parent families relied primarily on employment earnings and did not receive any welfare payments or employment insurance in 2001. Their average earnings were a paltry $15,000. Child benefits helped push their average total income up to $22,000. In comparison, the average income for all non-poor two-parent families was $86,000.
"It's alarming to see that this many Canadians are working, but still face a struggle to raise their children," said Council Chairperson John Murphy of Canning, Nova Scotia.
Murphy said the high number of working poor families dramatizes the need for strong and concerted action against poverty in Canada. The sad truth is that neither government nor the market has been a friend to poor people for many, many years.
"We must do more," demanded Murphy. "A national system of quality and affordable child care would help many escape poverty. At the same time, affordable shelter, higher minimum wages and adequate income assistance are also needed to reduce the high poverty rates in this country."
Poverty Profile is a regular publication of the National Council of Welfare, a citizens' advisory group to the Minister of Social Development Canada. The report is based on survey data from Statistics Canada and includes detailed information about poverty rates and numbers, depth of poverty, duration of poverty, common sources of income for poor people, and poverty and the paid labour market. The report also includes a chapter on income inequality in Canada.
The statistics are used by social policy and anti-poverty groups across the country to develop policy recommendations and representations to governments.
2004-11-04