Canada falling behind on poverty, inequality, says report

Canada isn't living up to its potential or its reputation when it comes to societal issues like poverty, government and inequality, according to the Conference Board of Canada.

The group gave Canada a 'B', good for a 7th place ranking out of 17 developed countries, but it said the "middle-of-the-pack" ranking leaves room for improvement.

Getting an 'A' at the top of the rankings were the Scandinavian nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland) as well as the Netherlands and Austria. At the bottom were Japan and the U.S., both getting a 'D' ranking.

Income inequality the biggest challenge

Inequality was a major factor in Canada's low ranking, according to the report. Canada ranked a 'C' on both income inequality and the gender income gap.

Many studies have pointed to the rise of income inequality in Canada over the past 30 years. The top 10 per cent have seen their average income rise 34 per cent, while the bottom 10 per cent have seen their earnings rise just 11 per cent. The report says income inequality is cause for concern, especially in education.

"Better education is a powerful way to achieve growth that benefits all," writes Brenda Lafleur, the report's author. But if the cost of education in Canada continues to rise, "it is very hard for the child of poor parents to do well."

However, Canada still maintains a great level of income mobility, ranking 'A'. Compared to other countries, there isn't a very strong relationship between a family's economic background and how much their children can expect to earn.

In Canada, just 19 per cent of a family's disadvantage is passed on, while that is 47 per cent in the U.S. and 50 per cent in the U.K.

High poverty rates

Linked to inequality is Canada's high poverty rate, which ranks among the worst of the 17 countries the report looks at.

Canada's child poverty rate is 15.1 per cent, up from 12.8 per cent in the mid-1990s, earning a 'C' ranking – only the U.S. ranked lower. Working-age poverty was 11.1 per cent, up from 9.4 per cent in the late 1990s – the 'D' ranking Canada received was the same as the U.S. and Japan.

The Conference Board calls Canada's rate of child poverty "unacceptable," and says action needs to be taken.

"Poor children do not eat well, do not learn well and have low chances of escaping poverty when they grow up," Lafleur said.

The role of government

In reducing inequality and poverty, the report finds that the Canadian government has proven quite effective.

The study notes that due to the tax system and transfers to the poor, income inequality is 27 per cent lower than it otherwise would be, and without government benefits and taxes, poverty rates would be 23 per cent, compared to the current 12 per cent.

However, the political system didn't get a free pass. Voter turnout and confidence in Parliament were both rated 'C'.

No 'kindler, gentler nation'

Lafleur calls the report "myth-busting" of the idea of Canada as a "kindler, gentler nation," saying that self-image is "based largely on a narrow Canada-U.S. comparison," and that the U.S. ranked dead last among the 17 countries ranked.

The report wasn't without a few positive marks for Canada – the conference board highlighted acceptance of diversity and life satisfaction as strengths.

Crime was also an area in which Canada was given good marks, with lower rates of homicides and burglaries than most of the other 17 countries.

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