Mind the Gap: The Income Gap

A recent report was produced declaring the need for a national plan to reduce child poverty. The report articulated the struggle of low-income families and how the situation has worsened in the past 23 years. The report also highlighted the struggle of low-income households to cover basic needs stating: "Canada had the fourth largest increase in income inequality amongst advanced industrialized countries." The poor are even poorer, the middle income are at a standstill,  inflation is climbing and the rich are making record profits.

 The facts:

•   1 in 7 Canadian children live in poverty.

•   1 in 10 working-age Canadians live in poverty (most of whom are actually working).

•   1 in 5 households assisted by food banks actually have employment income.  

•   An estimated 1 in 5 full-time workers in Canada earn under $17 hourly.  

•   Real average wages aren’t keeping up with inflation (falling by 0.6% between 2009 and 2011).

•   Temporary jobs increased from 875,200 (2008) to 1,017,200 (2011).

•   Low-income Canadians have little savings to contribute to RRSPs.

•   Only 38.8% of workers have an employer pension; this average rate is falling.

 The study offered a series of recommendations including: increasing child tax benefit, government sponsored child care provisions, beefing up social programs, additional low income housing spending, vague statements about increasing secondary manufacturing jobs, and better paying jobs. The suggestions were neither original nor inspiring.

The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and the government is standing by passively letting it happen. The third party consultants recommend the taxpayer spend more and take in less money. I'd like to point the finger to the corporations and their corporate social responsibility strategies: to challenge them to quit playing the slacktivist with their ribbons and awareness posters and reach into their bottom line to close the economic disparity gap.