How Does Poverty Affect Canada

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As humanity continues to climb up the steps of prosperity, poverty has become an issue that continues to drag us down. It is an issue that has persisted throughout the history of our civilization, and has grown into a serious problem over the past few years. Although poverty has existed since the dawn of time, its impact on Canadians in recent years has skyrocketed compared to the past. This is due to an assortment of factors including the erosion of employment opportunities, the high cost of living, stagnating wages, and lack of affordable housing. Considering that the circumstances all heavily influence the economic stability of our country, it is not surprising to see that the quality of life in Canada has declined significantly, resulting in the increase in poverty in …show more content…
As a result, the earning capacity of individuals and families has been reduced, prompting significant job losses and financial insecurity for many Canadians. Additionally, Statistics Canada provides data from the Dimension of Poverty Hub which showcases that as of 2022, 9.9% of Canadians live in poverty. It is necessary to note that this figure does not account for those with lower incomes, meaning that the impact of poverty in Canada is likely even more substantial than what data suggest. The situation is further worsened by the limited accessibility and declining value of government aid during times of need (The Homeless Hub, “Poverty”). People grappling with poverty often find it immensely taxing to fulfill basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, and education. Seeing how working full-time at minimum wage fails to provide a sustainable wage that can meet these needs, individuals in these situations are forced to make difficult sacrifices with housing being one of the first to go due to its high cost (The Homeless Hub,