How To Reduce Poverty In Canada

In Canada, the uneven distribution of wealth and the reduction of social benefits have led to a marked increase in poverty. Canada is far better off than the United States in terms of looking after the poor but we are far away from reducing poverty. In the last decade we have seen the rich get so much richer and the poor so much poorer. We in the west live in a society that caters to the rich. The rich people literally control everything while the social benefits to the poor working class is diminishing. Yet we pay taxes that prop these people or companies who have many tax havens or benefits that we do not have.

Poverty is directly linked to income inequality and it is getting worse. All emphasis is placed on the bottom line on companies

Poverty is one of the biggest burdens on the economic, healthcare and the criminal justice systems in Canada. In 2011, the federal government spent 20 billion on Employment Insurance benefits alone. A recent report from Ontario states that poverty cost the province in collaboration with the federal government between 10 and 13 billion yearly.

"The cost of poverty – in health care, criminal justice, social services, lost productivity, lost opportunity – is a cost we cannot afford any longer.” Tony Martin, former MP.

The World Organization has declared poverty to be the single largest determinant of health. Poverty can and does lead to illness and diseases. This is as a result of poor nutrition, inadequate housing/shelter, greater environmental risks and less access to proper health care. But the reverse is also true; illness can lead to poverty by reducing, savings, reduced productivity, and quality of life for families as well as

Social assistance spending at the provincial level was valued at $720 million per year, where poverty was common. During that time the federal government spent $11.2 billion on the Canada Social Transfer. In 2011, $4 billion was transferred to low income families by Ottawa. In addition Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation used $3 billion tax dollars on affordable housing.

We also see a vast spending on the criminal justice system, as crime has a direct link to poverty, with high rates of incarceration. This costs the government and taxpayers a significant amount of money per year; i.e. Saskatchewan spends between $80 and $120 million on the criminal justice system.

Clearly something needs to be done to address the poverty and inequality that have a huge impact on individuals and the Canadian society. It is the root causes on many health and social problems, as well as exacting a huge economic toll. There needs to be a creation of lasting and meaningful plans using a human rights framework. This would be costly, but nearly as expensive as doing