A series of infographics showing how people struggle to make ends meet.

Canada’s first-ever national anti-poverty strategy must have a meaningful impact on those whose lives are most precarious. Issues related to precarity, including poverty, are complex by nature. This is why Canada needs a strategy that tackles precarity and poverty in a thoughtful and comprehensive way.

Living in the Gap is a snapshot of the monthly incomes, expenses, and experiences of six fictitious households. Drawn from across the country in rural and urban settings, these snapshots illustrate how precarity affects our lives on a daily basis.

These profiles are not unusual; they represent what it’s like for typical families living in the gap between what they have and what they need. They also show why it is important to use targeted, evidence-based approaches to tackling precarity and poverty in Canada.

Download the entire report. (PDF)

A SNAPSHOT OF PRECARITY IN CANADA

(Click on the image to see a detailed breakdown of each infographic.)

Gap-Childcare

Living in the Gap: The Patels

Spotlight on Early Childhood Education & Care
Gap-JobsEmployment

Living in the Gap: The Doyles

Spotlight on Jobs and Employment
DFA Profile - Health 2

Living in the Gap: Mila Frei

Spotlight on Health
Gap-Income Security

Living the in Gap: The Dulaimis

Spotlight on Income Security
DFA Profile - Housing 2

Living in the Gap: Ana Eberly

Spotlight on Housing & Homelessness
Gap-Food Security

Living in the Gap: The Naullaqs

Spotlight on Food Security
 

Joined by over 11,700 individuals, 700 organizations, and 65 Members of Parliament and Senators, Dignity for All has been calling for a  national anti-poverty plan since 2009. And now we’re closer than ever.

In a country as wealthy as ours, it is unacceptable that 4.9 million people still struggle to meet their basic needs. We urge you to join the call for a poverty-free Canada. Together, we can make this vision a reality! 

Dignity for All wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable contributions and insights for this project:

Anita Khanna, Campaign 2000
Becky Kilabuk, Qikiqtani Inuit Association
Candace Pambrun, Hinton Adult Learning Society
Carly Bowie, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
Deatra Walsh (Director Of Poverty Reduction) and her team at Department of Family Services, Government of Nunavut
Derek Cook, Poverty Institute, Ambrose University
Diahann Polege-Aulotte, Town of Bonnyville Family & Community Support Services
Diana Bronson, Food Secure Canada
Jonn Kmech, Alberta Rural Development Network
Kate Mechan, Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
Katherine Scott, Canadian Council on Social Development
Kathy Vandergrift, Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children
Luc Brisebois, Qikiqtani Inuit Association
Monika Dutt, Upstream
Trish Garner, BC Poverty Coalition
Community Social Development, Town of Canmore, Alberta