Child and family poverty in Canada: Implications for child welfare research

The 1989 House of Commons unanimously passed a motion to eliminate child poverty by 2000. 13 years after the target date between 500,000 and 1 million children in Canada continue to grow up in households that are struggling economically (Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 202-0802). In this brief we describe the measures of low-income used in Canada for families and children. Further, we provide the most recent data on low income rates in Canada and across provinces. We then summarize key findings from longitudinal studies about how child poverty affects later life outcomes. The information sheet concludes with a review of the research on poverty and maltreatment.