Over 1 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty since 2015

Press Release

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

Statistics Canada data shows largest three-year reduction in Canadian history

March 4, 2020 Vancouver, British Columbia Employment and Social Development Canada

The Government of Canada is commited to growing the middle class and helping those working hard to join it.

The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, today highlighted the results of the 2018 Canadian Income Survey. The survey found that over 1 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty since 2015, and that the poverty rate in Canada continues its downward trend.

The results of the survey show that more Canadians than ever are joining the middle class. Thanks to programs like the Canada Child Benefit, the increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement and the middle class tax cut, Canadians have more money in their pockets. The release shows a significant reduction in poverty in Canada, representing the largest three-year reduction in Canadian history.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to growing the middle class and helping those working hard to join it. The results of the 2018 Canadian Income Survey are further proof that our plan is working. However, we know there is much more to do. That is why we will keep working hard to reduce poverty and make sure that every Canadian has a real and fair chance to succeed.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick facts

• Since 2015, 166,000 people have been lifted out of poverty in the city of Vancouver, including 49,000 children and 17,000 seniors.
• Since 2015, poverty rates have decreased in all 10 provinces. Since 2017, poverty has decreased in Nova Scotia by 2.5 percentage points, by 1.8 percentage points in New Brunswick and by 1.4 percentage points in British Columbia.
• Over 1 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty, including 334,000 children and 73,000 seniors.
• This is the second release of Canadian Income Survey data since the Government of Canada launched Opportunity for All – Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy which targets a 50% reduction by 2030, relative to 2015 levels.
• The Poverty Reduction Strategy’s targets are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty.

Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:

Jessica Eritou
Communications Assistant
Office of the Hon. Ahmed Hussen, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
jessica.eritou@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

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