Fewer people sit below the poverty line now than ever before

[Locutus]

Why are we not talking about it?

Andrew Coyne | 13/07/22 | Last Updated: 13/07/22 9:51 PM ET
More from Andrew Coyne | @acoyne




It’s been almost a month since Statistics Canada released its latest report on poverty in Canada (“Income of Canadians,” June 27). Since then I’ve been watching to see whether somebody, anybody would write about it.


You would think somebody would. It is a well-established principle of social justice that a society should make its first priority improving the lot of the worst off among it, and is to be judged by how well it does in this regard. What is more, the news on this front is remarkable, even extraordinary.


In 2011, the latest year for which StatsCan has figures, the proportion of the population living on low income — that is, with incomes below the agency’s Low Income Cut-off (LICO) — fell to its lowest level … well, ever. At just 8.8%, it beat the previous record of 9.0%, set in 2010. As recently as 1996, it was at 15.2%. In 1965, the first year for which LICO rates were calculated, it was 25%.


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Andrew Coyne: Fewer people sit below the poverty line now than ever before. Why are we not talking about it? | National Post

 

[karrie]

Why are we not talking about it?

For the same reason that we don't talk often about the fact that crime is low.

People aren't as malleable if they're happy and content. Keeping them afraid sells papers, sells political points of view, sells them religions, sells them products to try to fix the 'dangers'.

 

[B00Mer]

This is definitely something Canada can be proud of, because south of the 49th, it's just the bloody opposite. Go Canada :canada:

 

[Corduroy]

I'd say it's more because people don't actually care about poverty.

 

[darkbeaver]

I'd say It's more likely people don't believe it in light of today's efficiencies with respect to statistic manipulations.

 

[Locutus]

I'd say it's more because people don't actually care about poverty.

What about these people?

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

Occupy Toronto

 

[lone wolf]

I'd say it's more because people don't actually care about poverty.

Until it comes for them....

 

[Walter]

Stupid Harper.