In 2020, the poverty rate fell in Canada—and it fell quite a bit.
In fact, the poverty rate dropped to 6.4%, down from 10.3% in 2019. In that one year, the rate declined almost as much as it had over the four preceding years.
But why? What happened? Will the poverty rate continue to fall? And what happens if it hits zero? Could we be on the brink of solving poverty in Canada?
In the latest episode of the “Eh Sayers” podcast, guests Burton Gustajtis (economist at Statistics Canada), Evelyn Forget (professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba) and Kevin Milligan (professor of economics in the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia) examine the data behind the poverty level in Canada and what they mean for the 2.4 million Canadians who were living below the official poverty line in 2020. The guests also tell us about something called the Market Basket Measure and how exactly Statistics Canada measures poverty.
Listen to the full podcast episode here.
For more information on poverty in Canada, check out our Dimensions of Poverty Hub.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).