News release

For immediate release

More than 1 million Canadians lifted out of poverty since 2015

Angelo Iacono highlights the most significant three-year reduction in Canadian history

 February 25, 2020 – Laval, Quebec -The Government of Canada is committed to growing the middle class and helping those working hard to join it.

Angelo Iacono, MP for Alfred–Pellan, highlighted the results of the Canadian Income Survey, 2018, which found that more than 1 million Canadians have been lifted out of poverty since 2015 and that Canada’s poverty rate is continuing its downward trend. Since 2015, more than 300,000 Quebeckers have been lifted out of poverty.

The survey results also show that Canada’s middle class is larger than ever. Canadians today have more money in their pockets thanks to the Canada Child Benefit, the enhancement of the Guaranteed Income Supplement and tax cuts for the middle class. In addition, the survey shows a significant reduction in poverty in Canada, representing the largest three-year drop in in Canadian history.

Quote

“The Government of Canada is committed to growing the middle class and helping those working hard to join it. The results of the Canadian Income Survey, 2018 provide additional evidence that our plan is working. However, we know that there is still a lot to be done. And that is why we will continue to fight poverty and ensure that every Canadian, Quebecker and Laval resident has a real and fair shot at success.”

– Angelo Iacono, MP for Alfred–Pellan

Quick facts

• Since 2015, poverty rates have decreased in all 10 provinces. Since 2017, poverty has decreased by 2.5% in Nova Scotia, 1.8% in New Brunswick and 1.4% 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 aims to achieve 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.
• Statistics Canada today released the Report on the Second Comprehensive Review of the Market Basket Measure. The paper describes the proposed changes to update Canada’s Official Poverty Line, which will be validated by Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada over the coming months.

Associated links

Canadian Income Survey, 2018

Report on the Second Comprehensive Review of the Market Basket Measure

Opportunity for All – Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy