No Poverty Hub

End poverty in all its forms everywhere UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 SDG 1 No Poverty: Stick figures representing multiple genders and ages. What is poverty? In Canada, poverty is often assessed by measuring the number of Canadians with low incomes. Canada uses several indicators to measure low income: the Market Basket Measure, Low Income Cut-Offs, and the Low Income Measure. Market Basket Measure The Market Basket Measure defines low income by a family unit's disposable income*. A family is considered low income if it does not have enough disposable income to buy the specific goods and services that represent a basic standard of living. These include shelter, clothing, transportation, food, and other necessities. The 2020 disposable income levels, also known as Market Basket Measure thresholds, for Fredericton are: *Disposable income is defined by StatCan as the total income after deducting tax, employment insurance, Canada Pension Plan, Registered Pension Plan contributions, union dues, child care expenses, support payments paid, public health insurance premiums, direct medical expenses including private insurance premiums, and communication technology. Low Income Cut-Offs Low Income Cut-Offs are income thresholds. If a family is below the low income cut-off it will devote a larger share of its income on the necessities of food, shelter, and clothing than the average family. A family is considered low income if it spends 20 percentage points more on these necessities than the average family. In 2020, the low income cut-offs (after tax) for Fredericton families with one person to seven or more are: 2020 Low Income Cutoffs After Tax by Community Size and Family Size Data New Chart Data Table: 2020 Low Income Cutoffs After Tax by Community Size and Family Size Poverty in Fredericton: What is the distribution of income by Fredericton neighbourhood? Average Income Categories of Neighbourhoods in Fredericton Data extracted from Community Analyst (2020 Neighbourhood Income, Environics), view on City of Fredericton Open Data Portal. How much is spent on the specific goods and services that represent a basic standard of living? Data extracted from Community Analyst (2020 Neighbourhood Expenditures, Environics), view on City of Fredericton Open Data Portal. Who is at risk of experiencing poverty? Equitable economic growth must be inclusive to all genders, ages and ethnicities. Identifying who is impacted by poverty gives way to further opportunity to identify gaps in services. The following vulnerable groups experience disproportionate rates of poverty: Persons With Varying Abilities Recent New Canadians Unattached Individuals* (18-64yrs) Indigenous Peoples Single Parents *An unattached individual is someone who is not in an economic family. They either live alone or with others to whom they are not related. What else contributes to the experience of poverty? Housing House The cost of housing and lack of affordable housing options directly impacts poverty. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation considers housing 'acceptable' if it is affordable, has enough rooms to accommodate a family's size, and is not in need of any major repairs. Housing is considered affordable if it cost less than 30% of the household's total income before tax. If housing does not meet these standards, the household is considered to be in core housing need. Typically, Canadians experiencing core housing need are deemed to be in need because of affordability issues. In 2016, 1,693,775 Canadians households were in core housing need. Of these households, 76.1% were below the affordability standard. An additional 13.8% were below two standards; affordability and one other.  Almost 90% of all households in severe housing need are low income. See the Sustainable Cities and Communities Hub for more information on core housing need. Food Insecurity Bunch of fruit Poverty and food insecurity are closely linked as those who live in poverty are likely to suffer from hunger or malnutrition. Food insecurity in Canada is defined by a household's inability to acquire or consume a sufficient amount of food in ways that are deemed socially acceptable, or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so. Data shows that individuals living on a low income are more at risk of experiencing food insecurity. Food Banks Canada's Hunger Count 2021 reported that 34.3% of individuals who visited a Canadian food bank listed Social Assistance as their primary source of income. In New Brunswick, 52.2% of visitors listed Social Assistance as their primary income. Research demonstrates that food insecurity can be reduced through public policies that improve the financial circumstances of low income households. See the Zero Hunger Hub for more information on food insecurity. Health Heart with medical symbol Poverty can have numerous affects on an individual's health. Research suggests that individuals with low income have lower life expectancies, higher rates of suicide, and are more likely to suffer from disease. Living in poverty can also impact an individual's overall health due to the associated challenges with food security and poor living conditions. Additionally, poverty can affect an individual's ability to access health care. However, the relationship between poverty and health can be cyclical. If an individual is in poor health they may experience economic losses that will make it even harder for them to access care. If an individual is unemployed and does not have health insurance their out-of-pocket expenses, such as specialist consultations, tests, or medicines, can become unmanageable. Households may go into (further) dept to cover these expenses See the Good Health and Well-Being Hub for more information on health. Source: A Backgrounder on Poverty in Canada How can poverty be reduced? Income is the most impactful social determinant of health. When people experience poverty they lack the money to meet their basic needs. They are often food insecure, in core housing need, and have difficulties accessing health care. These individuals face countless barriers to education and employment opportunities and are at higher risk of dying prematurely. A Basic Income Guarantee can help solve all of these problems. What is a Basic Income Guarantee? A Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) is a universally available program that provides an unconditional income, in the form of a regular payment, to anyone whose income falls below a defined level. The BIG acts as an income floor for all peoples as it eliminates the risk of falling into poverty regardless of the circumstance. This program would ensure that every individual has their basic needs met and can live with dignity and respect. What are the principles of Basic Income? It is universally accessible. It is unconditional. Subject only to residency and income. It is sufficient income to achieve physical, mental, and social well-being. It respects autonomy. Individuals may use it at their sole discretion. It complements social services. It is not a replacement. It is reliable. Being delivered monthly or bi-weekly. Sources: Basic Income Coalition Canada, Basic Income Guarantee Atlantic Consensus Statement, Basic Income NB Who is working to address poverty in Fredericton? Greater Fredericton Social Innovation Leads and supports programs that aim to make the Fredericton area a better place to live. Fredericton Public Library Information resources and activitities for all community members. NB 211 Find information on social, community, health and government services in your community. Greener Village Providing the food, clothing and developmental opportunities people require on their journey to self sufficiency. Wil-Doo Cycle Providing access to bikes and cycling activities to low-income youth. Resources A Backgrounder on Poverty in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/canada/employment-social-development/programs/poverty-reduction/backgrounder/backgrounder-toward-poverty-reduction-EN.pdf Basic Income Coalition Canada: https://basicincomecoalition.ca/en/what-is-basic-income/ Basic Income Guarantee Atlantic Consensus Statement: https://www.basicincomenb.com/uploads/2/5/8/0/25806130/big_atlantic_-_consensus_statement_-_2022.pdf Basic Income New Brunswick: https://www.basicincomenb.com/ Building Understanding: The First Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/poverty-reduction/national-advisory-council/reports/2020-annual.html#h2.03 Core housing need, 2016 census: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/chn-biml/index-eng.cfm Poverty and Health: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/health/brief/poverty-health Understanding Household Food Insecurity: https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/ "What the Food?!" The State of Household Food Insecurity: https://proof.utoronto.ca/resource/what-the-food-the-state-of-household-food-insecurity/ Explore data sets relating to income and... Indigeneity Ethnicity Gender Age Family / Household Covid-19 Nonprofits

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