Nova Scotia rates of poverty, food insecurity in 2022 worst among all provinces
New data from Statistics Canada show that Nova Scotia's rates of poverty and food insecurity in 2022 were the highest of any province -- and the head of the province's largest network of food banks says things have only worsened since.
Some 28.9 per cent of Nova Scotia households were considered food insecure in 2022, meaning people had inadequate access to food due to financial constraints. Nationally, approximately 8.7 million people, or 22.9 per cent of the population, lived in households that reported some form of food insecurity.
Nick Jennery, executive director of Feed Nova Scotia, which distributes food to 140 food banks, said the situation in the province is even worse today. "We are continuing to see an escalation in demand," he said.
Data from the Canadian Income Survey, which was released by StatCan on Friday, found that 7.3 per cent of Nova Scotia households were experiencing "severe" food insecurity, meaning people were reducing their eating or going days without food.
Food insecurity was highest among young Nova Scotians, with 40.5 per cent of children under 18 recorded as being food insecure in 2022. The next highest risk group for food insecurity are those between 18 and 24 years old, at more than 37 per cent.
"These stats are tragic and disappointing," Jennery said in an interview Tuesday. "Every day we see the impact of those numbers. We see lineups outside of food banks. We see people going to multiple food banks. We see food banks that just don't have the capacity to handle this escalating trend."
Jennery said 2022 had been a "record year" in terms of demand at Feed Nova Scotia's network of food banks -- "but 2023 beat that by 27 per cent .... At what point does it get so bad that somebody says we ought to do something?"
Data show that Nova Scotia's poverty rate increased to 13.1 per cent in 2022 from 8.6 per cent a year earlier -- also the highest rate among all provinces. This is well above the national average in 2022 of 9.9 per cent of people falling below the poverty threshold.
Statistics Canada uses a model called the Market Basket Measure to define poverty, which means that a family is considered to be living in poverty if they cannot afford a modest, basic standard of living which includes the costs of food, clothing and footwear, transportation, shelter and other expenses.
Jennery said the province has made moves to address poverty, noting that government recently indexed income assistance rates to inflation, but it needs to go further to substantially increase financial support to those who need it. "We need to stop the Band-Aid approach with this issue," he said.
When asked about the data Wednesday, Department of Community Services spokesperson Christina Deveau said in an email, "We understand there are no quick fixes to the complex challenges people are facing." Deveau said the department is working with communities, partners and families on a range of initiatives to support vulnerable Nova Scotians.
Sheri Lecker, executive director of Adsum House for Women and Children, said in a statement Monday the data confirms what the organization has been seeing in terms of community needs.
"Nova Scotia is doing the worst job providing the bare essentials for its citizens. These statistics are from 2022 and we know that things have continued to deteriorate in this province," Lecker said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2024.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Thunderstorms with tornado risk in some areas in Ontario, snow elsewhere in Canada
Canadians can expect a mixed bag of weather, with forecasts warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and snow in some areas across western Canada.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
'All hell broke loose': Passengers on Singapore Airlines flight describe nightmare at 37,000 feet
Passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence on Tuesday described a sudden, dramatic drop as 'all hell broke loose' on board the Boeing airliner carrying 229 passengers and crew.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Cybercriminals threaten to leak London Drugs data if it doesn't pay $25M ransom
Last month’s cyberattack on pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs that forced the closure of all its stores in Western Canada was orchestrated by a 'sophisticated group of global cybercriminals' who are demanding a ransom—and say they’ll leak the company’s data if it doesn’t pay up.
Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move
Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.
Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, two in five boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling.