Friday, February 6, 2026

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

It’s time to tackle inequality and poverty in Canada

Between 1990 and 2000, market and disposable income inequality rose significantly, poverty rates rose or remained stable for persons under age 65, the real incomes of the poorest 10 per cent fell, and the only large gains in real incomes were experienced by the richest 10 per cent of households.

There is no official measure of poverty for Canada, as a whole. The measure of low income with the longest history of data collection is the 1992 base post-income tax low income cut-offs. Using this measure, the low income rate for children under age 18 living changed little between 1990 and 2000, dipping from 14.0 per cent to 13.9 per cent. The rate for all persons 18-64 rose from 11.2 per cent to 12.9 per cent. Between 2000 and 2014, the rate for children fell sharply from 13.9 per cent to an all-time low of 8.5 per cent. The rate for persons aged 18-64 fell from 12.9 per cent to 10.0 per cent. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion
BY MICHAEL HATFIELD
November 14, 2016

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | November 14, 2016

FOLLOW THE HILL TIMES:

Want to make sure your whole office has the full Hill Times experience?

We have team plans available for companies, organizations, classes, Parliament Hill offices and more. Fill out this form and find out if your team is eligible for a discount.

More Opinion

‘Premature’ to call NDP leadership race for top fundraiser Lewis, say politicos, with ranked ballot giving McPherson the edge

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Massive military spending needs protection from abuse and fraud

OpinionBY DAVID HUTTON

Ministers could exempt businesses from laws within ‘regulatory sandbox’ outlined in budget bill

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Treasury Board Secretariat official Jenelle Power said the bill would not allow ministers to exempt people or businesses from law for 'broad policy purposes,' and there are 'strict limitations' to such legal exceptions, including time limits.

Ministers could exempt businesses from laws within ‘regulatory sandbox’ outlined in budget bill

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Treasury Board Secretariat official Jenelle Power said the bill would not allow ministers to exempt people or businesses from law for 'broad policy purposes,' and there are 'strict limitations' to such legal exceptions, including time limits.

It’s time to tackle inequality and poverty in Canada

Between 1990 and 2000, market and disposable income inequality rose significantly, poverty rates rose or remained stable for persons under age 65, the real incomes of the poorest 10 per cent fell, and the only large gains in real incomes were experienced by the richest 10 per cent of households.

Canada can’t afford to leave qualified physicians on the sidelines

The last arms control treaty expires

Push-ups for prevention

Jamil Jivani went to Washington

From promise to reality: scaling innovative housing in Canada

AI will disrupt millions of jobs, so what is Ottawa’s plan?

Feds looking for Canadian steel supplier to keep high-speed rail project on track

Canadians concerned about AI’s impact on environment, children: federal consultation

Ministers blitz the committees

‘Premature’ to call NDP leadership race for top fundraiser Lewis, say politicos, with ranked ballot giving McPherson the edge

Massive military spending needs protection from abuse and fraud

Ministers could exempt businesses from laws within ‘regulatory sandbox’ outlined in budget bill

Ministers could exempt businesses from laws within ‘regulatory sandbox’ outlined in budget bill

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Follow us

Advertise

subscribe

get help

Get free news updates

Submit a guest opinion article

It’s time to tackle inequality and poverty in Canada

Between 1990 and 2000, market and disposable income inequality rose significantly, poverty rates rose or remained stable for persons under age 65, the real incomes of the poorest 10 per cent fell, and the only large gains in real incomes were experienced by the richest 10 per cent of households.

Get The Foreign Policy Newsletter