Share this Story : PNI Atlantic News Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

COMMENTARY: Take poverty off the back burner

In 1989, the House of Commons resolved to end child poverty by the year 2000. This has not happened. Since then, several generations of children have suffered in many ways.

Subscribe now to access this story and more:

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.

Unlimited access to the website and app

Exclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcasts

Full access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists

Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.

Access additional stories every month

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting community

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

There has been some progress. The 2025 Child and Family Poverty Report Card, based on the latest Statistics Canada Tax returns (2023), praises government transfers for keeping child poverty at 16.7 per cent. Without those transfers, the rate of child poverty would have been 52 per cent. Unfortunately, these transfers are declining in effectiveness.

According to Bill 107 (2021), food insecurity was supposed to be reduced to zero by 2025. However, despite a 24 per cent reduction, 31.2 per cent (10,000 children) were still suffering from food insecurity in 2023. Determined efforts must still be made to reach the goal of zero per cent.

When compared to the previous year, child poverty across Canada remained relatively unchanged, with minor increases or decreases in most provinces including P.E.I.

While there was a slight reduction in poverty percentages for all children under 18 years, the actual number increased by 60 children and the percentage for children under six years increased slightly from 17.5 per cent to 17.6 per cent.

Social assistance payments for lone parent families with one child reached 86 per cent of the poverty........

© PNI Atlantic news