The number reflects several currents in the economy, from disability and social assistance payments that have not kept pace with inflation to the prevalence of lower-wage work, a lack of affordable housing and the delayed effects of the recession.
“For those who can’t work – government supports are extremely low and have not evolved with a changing economy. And many Canadians aren’t able to access the training they need to qualify for well-paying jobs,” said Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada, which produced the national count.