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Unpacking Poverty

The Poverty Report Cards represent how well the federal, provincial and territorial government’s poverty reduction efforts are going. As poverty stems from multiple factors, including the cost of housing, everyday expenses, and the quality of the social safety net, the Report Cards examine how poverty is experienced across Canada and where federal and provincial/territorial policy improvements are needed.   

POVERTY
REPORT
CARD

Unpacking Poverty

The Poverty Report Cards represent how well the federal, provincial and territorial government’s poverty reduction efforts are going. As poverty stems from multiple factors, including the cost of housing, everyday expenses, and the quality of the social safety net, the Report Cards examine how poverty is experienced across Canada and where federal and provincial/territorial policy improvements are needed.   

Introduction

Rising costs, a shifting labour market, and outdated income supports are leaving more Canadians unable to afford the essentials. Global pressures have intensified these challenges while exposing long-standing weaknesses in Canada’s safety net. Incomes — from work or public supports — are no longer keeping pace with the cost of living, and one in four households face food insecurity.

At the centre of this crisis is Employment Insurance. EI is failing to reach enough workers or deliver adequate support, even as job opportunities shrink and unemployment rises. This is not a marginal issue — it is a core weakness in Canada’s social safety net. Provincial governments also bear significant responsibility: their choices on social assistance rates, housing, and complementary programming shape whether reforms translate into real gains. Clear pathways forward exist. This report identifies the key drivers of poverty and offers an ambitious, practical roadmap to modernize EI, strengthen income supports, and build a more equitable and resilient Canada.

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Call for Modern EI Reform

EI wasn’t built for today’s workforce—and it shows.  Workers are left without support when they need it, and many are pushed into food insecurity as a result. 
We are calling on the federal government to deliver permanent, structural reform to EI—one that expands access, improves benefit adequacy, and reflects the realities of today’s labour market. 
Canada needs a modern EI for a modern workforce. It’s time to fix EI so it works for everyone.  
Read our full policy recommendation on modernizing EI for today’s workplace here.

 

Roadmap to Change

 

Canada Poverty Report Card

Poverty and hunger are growing across Canada. Find out why existing measures aren’t enough and what relief is urgently needed.

Read Report

Compare Report Cards

Explore how poverty and food insecurity differ by region and how they’ve shifted over time.

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Policies that Make a Difference

At Food Banks Canada, we believe that no one should go hungry.
Yet, even in this country, almost 2.2 million people visited food banks in one month.

Read our Policy

About this Report

Authors 

Phil Ozga – Chief Network and Government Relations Officer

Shawn Boyle – Manager, Advocacy & Government Relations 

Oona Palmer – Policy and Advocacy Officer 

Dana Vreeswijk – Policy and Advocacy Officer 

About Food Banks Canada 

Food Banks Canada is the leader in addressing food insecurity in Canada. Our mission is to provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network. For over 40 years, Food Banks Canada has been dedicated to helping people living in Canada with food insecurity. Over 5,500 food banks and community organizations come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours, who – this year – made almost 2.2 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our 2025 HungerCount report.     

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