Nova Scotia's child poverty rate worst in 30 years
The co-author of a new study released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives- Nova Scotia (CCPA-NS) said the lack of progress made addressing child poverty is alarming.
"In 1989, there was a promise to end child poverty by the year 2000," said author Leslie Frank.
Data gathered in 2019 shows Nova Scotia with the highest rate of child and family poverty in Atlantic Canada and the third highest provincial rate in the country.
"So, that's 30 years that we have the data before us," said Frank. "That is telling a story. Nova Scotia, in particular, has done a very poor job in poverty eradication."
In Nova Scotia, the latest numbers from the CCPA-NS show the child poverty rate at 24.3 per cent with more than 41,000 children living in poverty -- which is 25 per cent of all Nova Scotian children.
A separate New Brunswick study painted a better picture, but still disturbing. The child poverty rate in 2019 was 21.7 per cent with more than 30,000 children living in poverty -- which is almost 18 per cent of all New Brunswick children.
Frank says there is an inconsistent level of political action; although she does point out government assistance has been crucial.
"Without those government investments, our child poverty rate would be much higher," said Frank. "We would have about 27,000 more children living in poverty."
Frank said many children do not have the same opportunities as their peers, which can hold them back when attempting to break the poverty cycle.
"If children are dropping out of school for example, because they are moving out, trying to help their families bring food into the house andthen they are not reaching their potential," said Frank.
One solution is fundraising. This week, the Salvation Army launched its 131st Kettle Campaign.
"This year's goal across Canada is $20 million," said Lt. Gena Haggett. "Closer to home, it's $2 million here in the Maritimes."
Haggett said the kettles help put food on the table for those living in poverty.
"Salvation Army is deeply concerned about child poverty and family poverty," said Haggett.
Haggett said money raised also goes to social programs designed to address the root of poverty and help eradicate this disturbing trend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.