Invest in Families: Ending Child Poverty Is Good for All

Invest in Families: Ending Child Poverty is Good for All

January 2020 INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL

PREPARED BY:

SANDRA NGO A report to inform stakeholders JENN ROSSITER in their work to end child poverty JOEL FRENCH in Alberta. KAYLA DAS Thank you to the Alberta College of CODY ANSTEAD Social Workers and Jody-Lee Farrah NINA FOURIE for their support and input into this report. Thank you to Susan Morrissey, and members of the Edmonton Social Planning Council for input and feedback. For a copy of this report, please visit 2 www.edmontonsocialplanning.ca

This report is published by the Edmonton Social Planning Council, Public Interest Alberta, and the Alberta College of Social Workers. Any errors, omissions, and opinions are strictly those of the authors.

Photography by Thomas Baril. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Thomas is a Métis student at the Victoria School of Arts in Edmonton. The Forgotten Moccasin photo project builds on the tragedy of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, ISBN: 978-0-921417-74-3 but focuses on the children who are negatively affected. “When the women suffer in a community the whole future of the community suffers.” 5 In 1 23 Children Children health health 18 4,5,6,7 and food insecurity.12 When and insecurity.12 food 11 This leads to debilitating effects for for This debilitating leads effects to 2 educational attainment, educational 3 employment, 10 In general, children who grow up in low income income low in up grow who children general, In as well as other negative outcomes as negative as as well other adults. 14 Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to to linked been have experiences childhood Adverse 17 21,22 relationships, 9 while immigrant or Indigenous children are also at a higher risk of of risk higher a at also are children Indigenous or immigrant while 15 Children whose living are parents in poverty to more likely are 19,20 ntroduction I housing, 8

16 It is It immoral allow child – children sufferinglong-from are to and poverty exist youth to 13 of Alberta children suffer the all- the suffer children Alberta of of poverty. encompassing effects living in poverty. Every night, hundreds of thousands night, of hundreds Every not poor”. not precarious health behaviours, chronic health issues, poorer outcomes, and early death. early and outcomes, issues, poorer health chronic behaviours, health precarious poverty. Poverty is single the poverty. children most important both and health for of adults. determinant imperative in mitigating the cycle of poverty. of in mitigating cycle the imperative situations are more likely to remain income in low adulthood. to more likely situations are circumstances into Family also may development; score significantly lower on tests of cognitive achievement than do children who are are who children do than achievement cognitive of tests on lower significantly score development; Research shows that children and youth who grow up impoverished face significant challenges. challenges. significant face impoverished up grow who youth and children that shows Research Poverty is often linked to adverse childhood experiences and economic security for families is is families for security economic and experiences childhood adverse to linked often is Poverty Every night, hundreds of thousands of Alberta children suffer the all-encompassing effects of all-encompassingthe effects suffer children Alberta of thousands of hundreds night, Every who experience cumulative adverse childhood experiences are more likely to have physical, physical, have to likely more are experiences childhood adverse cumulative experience who to live in low income households, income low in live to their personal physical and mental health, which can cause lasting damage. lasting cause can which health, mental and physical personal their term health issues and seeing their potential diminished. potential their seeing and issues health term and experiencing or witnessing violence. witnessing or experiencing and affect one’s life path. For instance, path. life Alberta one’s affect children living a lonetimes with five are likely parent more compared to the non-poor, the long-term poor show large deficits in cognitive and socioemotional socioemotional and cognitive in deficits large show poor long-term the non-poor, the to compared experiences are traumatic events in childhood such as household instability, economic insecurity, insecurity, economic instability, household as such childhood in events traumatic are experiences emotional, and social issues. social and emotional, experience lower socioeconomic status lower experience Currently, children’s health is being explored through the lens of trauma. Adverse childhood childhood Adverse trauma. of lens the through explored being is health children’s Currently, Canada, 1 in 5 children below approximately live poverty the line. & cognitive development, cognitive & They are more vulnerable to issues affecting mental health, mental affecting issues to vulnerable more are They INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL

Introduction 4 7 ntroduction I experiencing adverse childhood experiences. adverse experiencing most recent data and programs that help to reduce reduce to help that programs and data recent most spotlight a shines it addition, In effects. its and poverty and youth. Indigenous children by faced on hardships their support and for advocate to obligated morally and well-being. health security, household stability and lowering parental parental and lowering household stability security, children of likelihood the preventing turn in stress, Financial supports for families strengthen income strengthen families supportsFinancial for This update of child poverty in Alberta will explore the the explore will Alberta in poverty child of update This remain we a society, as and at-risk especially are They

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL

should focus on on focus should subsequently poverty, poverty, subsequently public policy initiatives initiatives public policy

investments for families. for investments among children, and

childhood experiences childhood experiences

To prevent adverse adverse prevent To 6 9 30

Aged 17 0 to Aged 17 0 to Aged 17 0 to All Families All Persons All Couples Persons All Lone-Parent Persons All Figure 1. Proportion personsof in low income family by type in Alberta in 2017 (CFLIM-AT) The CFLIM-AT uses The the CFLIM-AT a 27,28 “1 in 2 children living in lone- households inparent low are 1 inincome 12 compared to children living in coupleof families.”

The CFLIM-AT uses The census CFLIM-AT families as a unit of 26 29 Measures erty v o P or social low and political inclusion. 24,25 poverty is by looking at incomes, either at looking is by poverty live, it’s aboutlive, it’s people the family in your unit that may impact financial your is The security. CFLIM-AT relative to other families. other to relative As such, takes income it inequality account. into measure which includes members or children, without with a couple of family, and lone parents and is 16.6% children, these of children distribution the of or 164,150 young Albertans However, (Figure 1). deprivation Low IncomeLow The Basket Measure Market (CFLIM-AT). Measure, or MBM, is Canada’s officialpoverty line and is a deeperFor look MBM, the at Appendix to I. refer factor in income the caregivers.factor these children’s of the familythe unit and ensures that when talking about family units, isn’t about just it happen where you to their children. All other family types are considered non-census considered families. types are family other All children. their groups of people, accountgroups of such negative into other aspects take do as not poverty, they material of compared only 8.3% to couple of families. Among children their who with parents, live do not almost on First Nationson First reserves and collective dwellings. calculated as 50% median the of national income and compares a household doing are they how to currently beingcurrently updated and available not this report. for One challenges the of measuring of poverty and income low collect we data is variety ways the of for an individual or a household. or individual an for and income low how thresholds calculated. are While income-based measures can describe large among family types equal. is not Of those living lone-parent with families, half them income in are low of themall considered are of income, low but this number caution with should does - it not be interpreted According to the CFLIM-AT the percentage the children CFLIM-AT the According of and to aged who 17 income low are youth 0 to T1 Family File (T1FF)T1 which is collected every tax year from filer data.T1FF The includes those living The After-Tax Census Income Family Low Measure uses an calculate (CFLIM-AT) updated to way The After-Tax This report will focus on the After-Tax Census Family This report will on focus After-Tax the The most common way to measure to common way most The Poverty Measures

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 8 11

35 33 Lone-parent, 1 Child 1 Lone-parent, Children 2 Lone-parent, Child 1 Couple, Children 2 Couple, Figure 4. Poverty gap Albertan for family median (After-tax families incomeincome and CFLIM-AT thresholds Figure 5. Comparisons between child province poverty by rates (CFLIM-AT) Poverty Line Poverty Gap Poverty Income Family Median Tax After 1989 2017

34 Measures erty v o P have experienced a drop in child a drop experienced have much work although rates, poverty be done. to remains likely due to the new Canada new the duelikely to Child Benefit(CCB)took inthateffect mid-2016. lone-parent families. lone-parent incomes one on average and thus has child a slightly lower poverty However, rate. in six children remain in poverty and unless bold and decisive action is taken to Figure 4 illustrates how the challenge the how loneFigure 4 illustrates for parent families is greatest one with In 2017, 18.7% Canadians of In 2017, income. in low aged were 17 Alberta 0 to higher enjoys eradicate child poverty, it will remain a pernicious problem in the province. the in problem pernicious a remain will it poverty, child eradicate child; double many would to have their income income rise low above to thresholds. Generally, coupleGenerally, families experiencing are a smaller poverty gap compared to Across Canada, most provinces provinces Canada, most Across The gap decreased 2016, 2015 slightly from to especially lone for parent families, 31 32

Person Not in Census Figure 3. Year over year change over Figure 3. from Year among Albertans 2017 to 2016 aged 0 income in low 17 to All Families All Couples Families Lone-Parent All Families All Families Couple Families Lone-Parent Figure individuals 2. Percentage of in income familylow type by in Alberta persons for 2017 aged 2008 to from (CFLIM-AT) 17 0 to INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL

poverty dropped 6.8% by and number the those in of couple families dropped improved family programsimproved transfer shared not are evenly. in poverty in Alberta has that decline slowly declined. shared is not However, drops in child poverty over time. From 2016 to 2017, the number the children of in drops 2017, in child 2016 to poverty time. From over In order to trackIn child how order to poverty has changed time, Figure 2 provides over equally among family types. Couple families experienced have greater 21.8% (Figure 3). In contrast, there was a 7.4% increase in poverty 21.8% rates In contrast, was a 7.4% there (Figure 3). among lone-parent children from who were families. is It clear that benefitsof a trend of the past years. the of ten alla trend family For types, proportion the those living of 10 13 36 Incomes eable v i L billion than lower 2018-19 levels. Since inflation Alberta’s and population is growth going up about hire highhire school or post-secondary summer for students jobs, will be eliminated 2019 the after This will a detrimental have impactprogram seeking year. on students build to their job-related programs designed and support middle-income to lower- working families will be replaced with inflation nor enrolment is growth beingfunded. This means dollarsfewer that there will be per child spending public the reduction, of service size the shrink 7.7%. to by is expected delivered by the previous government. previous the by delivered with the rising the living.with cost of the lowest income lowest the families is being increased 15%, by benefit the will be phased out quicklymore families who may been have relying and onThat’s ACB the willwhy AFETC the be cut off sooner. single new the benefit will deliver about $40 million to lessAlberta families than the benefitstwo Support, and Special Needs Assistance programs their levels, at being are current however kept being are Consumer the they from deindexed As a result, AISH Price Index (CPI). up keep will not School programs nutrition will see a 20% increase earlier after facing elimination. of threat the education funding years. same the four at is being next the However, kept $8.2 billion Neither level. experiences and skillsets when pursuing careers in their field of study. of field their in careers pursuing when and skillsets experiences school. into enrolling 3.5% in real per capita per a spending year, this represents achieve this terms 17%. reduction of To a new Albertaa new Child and Family Benefit startingprogram in July 2020. Whilethe base for benefit as income families rises will so benefit. the receive fewer This meansthat income low working Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), the Alberta Seniors Benefit, Income Benefit, Income Alberta Seniors Handicapped the (AISH), Severely the for Income Assured An estimated additional 60,000 children are expected to enter the K-12 education duringAn additional estimated system 60,000 K-12 the enter children to expected are The fiscal government plan will see a 2.8%reduction years fourin spending theor $1.3next over The Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP), which providesThe funding Summer to employers Employment Program to (STEP), Temporary The school reduction program fee is being eliminated. The Alberta Child Benefit two Tax and(ACB) the (AFETC), Credit AlbertaFamilyEmployment of the budget was delayed until October. until delayed was the budget of government in 2019, the announcement the announcement in 2019, government that affect the incomes of families with children and youth. and children with families of incomes the affect that This interim budget will be in effect until MarchfollowingThe 2020. budgetarykey are changes With the election of the new provincial provincial the new of election the With • • • • • • • Liveable Liveable Incomes

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 12 15 In addition, 39 Incomes eable v i L and break 37,38 Despite this evidence, Alberta the Government cut or aims to 40 subsidized child care have have child care subsidized obtain to families support these programs, affordable housing, affordable programs, demonstrated to be beneficial to be beneficial to demonstrated replace existing social programs such as child benefits, affordable housing, and child care and and care housing, child and affordable benefits, child as such programs social existing replace by promoting equitable financial and social resources for the most vulnerable children, the the children, vulnerable most the for resources social financial and equitable promoting by Refundable tax credits assists low-income families access basic needs such as child care and and care child as such needs basic access families low-income assists tax credits Refundable Child benefits, tax credits, nutrition nutrition credits, tax Child benefits, transportation that are essential for parents to remaintransportation employed in workforce. essential the to are parents that for and other public programs”. public other and child intervention services that support the most vulnerable children in Alberta. in children vulnerable most support the services that intervention child government will avoid “billions willgovernment avoid through dollars costs health care, of crime in future mitigation, financial security financial the cycle of poverty. of the cycle

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 14 17 , the total number total , the employed of 41 42 arners age E W ow L putting more money in the pockets of of in the pockets money more putting opportunity to boost the economy by by economy the boost to opportunity Nearly a quarter million minimum wage minimummillion wage a quarter Nearly increases minimum the wage each year on October 1, $15 at but per this year is being it hour, frozen In Alberta, 245,300 individuals earn minimum current the wage $15 of per hour or less (12.5%). except for youth, who youth, can for be now paidexcept $2 per hour less. Of those, below are or age the 60,100 20. one of quarter, the province’s lowest wage workers. wage lowest the province’s Albertans in between June 2018 of and 2019 was 1,960,400. The Alberta usually government According to the Statistics the According Canada’s to monthly Labour Survey Force workers in Alberta can legally have their their have legally can in Alberta workers missing a key this year, frozen wages Earners Low Wage Wage Low

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 16 19 49 50 48

Medicine Hat Medicine $13.65/hour (2017) Red Deer and Central Alberta Deer Red and Central (2016) $13.81-$14.10/hour Canmore (2017) $22.65/hour age ing W v 43 Li

45 47 46

It is expected that as is It Calgary expected implements fully program, ELCC the will it also see child

44 Edmonton $17.35/hour (2015) $17.35/hour $16.45/hour (2018) (2019) $16.51/hr Calgary Grande Prairie Grande dignity in and participate live but survive, individuals and families should not just just should not andindividuals families in community. putting savings away or paying down debt. programs. that living the is It expected wages Albertan for cities in 2020 will increase continue to with inflation and rising costs of living. However, other forces are at play. For exampleFor Edmonton, in parents forcesat play. otherare inflation andrising of living. costs However, wage includes participation in recreation, an health extended and dental plan, and a minor emergency themselves,their families, and reach basic financialfor a higherIt standard allows security. of living than what is included Basket in Market the Measure, which is based on subsistence living. The living care prices. care prices drop. contingency fund. However, it does it include not that would ahead”, allow items contingency families “get such fund. to as However, are payingare less child for care on Early the average due to Learning and Child program. Care (ELCC) A living wage is rooted in the belief that that in the belief is rooted wage A living The most recently calculated living wages across Alberta are: Alberta across are: living wages calculated recently most The The $25/day program Alberta Government the introduced of by The $25/day has pull a downwards created on child The living wage is defined the as hourlywage that a primary income for earnerto provide must make The living wage calculation year track in year is changes order consistent to to in expenses and benefit Wage Living

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 18 21 age ing W v Li

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 20 23

60 57,58 17% 54% 35% 2015 with a staggering with average 52 59% 39% 20% 2010 51 and Indigenous children account for 11% of the the of 11% for account children and Indigenous . This is made when starker compared even the to 59 53 hildren C Indigenous discrimination and racism, child welfare interventions, and homelessness. interventions, welfare and racism, child discrimination 56 It is continue It imperative that we making progress on addressing issues the that these 55 Métis Status First Nation on reserve Nation First Status reserve off Nation First Child Poverty Rates by Region by Rates Child Poverty health and support services resulting in resulting and support services health poverty”. of higher rates unfair and unnecessary barriers to to and unnecessary barriers unfair living on reserve considered are compared livingreserve. those 26% in poverty, who of off to live likely to be affected by traumaby be affected and to likely mental health issues, highlow school completionrates, poor health, Indigenous populations in Canada, yet Canada, yet in Indigenous populations face often too still Indigenous children poverty rate for non-racialized, non-recent immigrant, non-Indigenous children, which sits at 12%. at non-Indigenous sits which immigrant, children, non-recent non-racialized, for rate poverty unemployment, In Alberta, Indigenous poverty for rates children, on and both reserve, off beenhave in decline since In Canada, Indigenous people make uponly 4.9% population entire the of In Alberta, 6.5%people of identify as Indigenous vulnerable children face. face. children vulnerable there is still a large discrepancy between the poverty rates of Indigenous children and non-Indigenous children Indigenous of rates poverty the between discrepancy large a still is there of 47% of First Nations First of 47% childrenof living in poverty entire child population. These children experience poverty at vastly different rates—58% of children children of rates—58% different vastly at poverty experience children These population. child entire Recently compiledRecently child of data poverty that rates demonstrates in Alberta in are decline, but that province. the across children 2010. As a result of decades of As a result discrimination of and intergenerational harm, Indigenous children more are Table. Proportion Alberta of Table. children living in poverty on reserve. Source: Beedie al. et (2019) youngest, and fastest-growing and fastest-growing youngest, “Alberta is home to one of the largest, the largest, of one is to home “Alberta Children Indigenous Indigenous

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 22 25 These 69 for for These two 71 70 hildren C and hopefully play a role in improving future outcomes for and outcomes for hopefully in a role improving play future 72 Indigenous VING FORWARD joint effort between the Government the Government between effort joint and Inuit Nations, and First Canada of a collaborative, culturally appropriate, appropriate, culturally a collaborative, child care system. child care providing leadership, Nation Métis MO In September 2018, a national a national 2018, In September and Child Learning Indigenous Early historic documents provide Indigenous governing bodies with oversight for the education of of education the for oversight with bodies governing Indigenous provide documents historic been taken into care. Indigenous governing bodies will have jurisdiction over their own services own their over jurisdiction have will bodies governing Indigenous care. into taken been more reliable Indigenous for data peoples living on andreservefor required off preventative is initiatives aim to improve conditions for Indigenous children in Canada and Alberta. However, Alberta. and Canada in However, children Indigenous for conditions improve to aim initiatives $1.7 billion dollars over ten years ten over dollars billion $1.7 Following this,Following in March 2019 National of Métis the Council (including Nation Métis the of earlydistinct Métis-centered learning for programs framework and services. Indigenous population in Alberta in population Indigenous Indigenous children. children. Indigenous Care Framework was released in a released was Framework Care Starting January, 2020, Respecting An Act Nations, First Inuit and Children, Metis and Families have who children Indigenous with deal agencies welfare child territorial and provincial how for and ability the would trump pass provincial that laws or to laws. child federal welfare and action. informed young children across the country. Together, these agreements will affect roughly these agreements 97% willthe affect of young children Together, across country. the Alberta) signed their Nation Métis own Early Learningand Child Accord Care ensuring a Youth (Bill C-92) will be implementedYouth across Canada. This Billwill establish national standards 67 demonstrating demonstrating 68

Figure 1 Monthly average (2018-2019) numbers, Alberta the importancethe and need dire for change very the step. at first Theseevidence figures are of overrepresentation the of the in children Indigenous to Owing system. intervention this,Action to first the Calls five and Reconciliation Truth the by on focus Canada of Commission welfare, child and 61 62 65 Between 2018 and 2019, monthly the 66 and would fail to consider and to would fail contexts cultural 63 ICES V INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL ENTION SER ENTION V

Since is based CFLIM-AT the solely on income, only the is measure currently it for 64

poverty among Indigenous populations among Indigenous populations poverty living on reserve, as the federal federal the as on reserve, living

data outside of census collections of outside data on reserve or in the territories. on reserve lifestyles. poverty rates for populations for poverty living rates on reserve or in territories. reserves or in territories becausereserves measurements or on are in rely territories price they that and data, expenditure

increase of 4% from 2017-2018). Indigenous children made 2017-2018). up from 62% thoseincrease files. of 4% of following The government does not track income income track not does government Because this, of 69% children of in Indigenous. care are demonstrates the inadequacy the availabledemonstrates data. of The MBM cannot be applied those living for on CHILD INTER CHILD Indigenous children have higher rates of contact with child intervention services in Alberta. services in intervention child with contact of rates higher have children Indigenous which available is not in these geographic areas that affect the measurement and experiences of poverty for those who live more traditional traditional more live who those for poverty of experiences and measurement the affect that average number childrenaverage of receivingand youth child services intervention 10,948 was (an figure breaks these numbers down further: further: down numbers these breaks figure

therefore does not report poverty rates rates poverty report not does therefore

Approximately one quarter of Indigenous peoples in Canada live on a reserve, which which reserve, a on live Canada in peoples Indigenous of quarter one Approximately There are limitations to understanding understanding to limitations are There 24 27 A recent study suggests study A recent 75 are hild C that subsidies or low-cost child care is available. 74 It is therefore critical, recognizing is It therefore income that lower families 73 ccessible C Universal and affordable childcare can be a incentive powerful 77

76 ffordable and A A helping empower same the single have to to mothers opportunities as families other and 78 poverty and increasing health health and increasing poverty accessible, and affordable childcare. and affordable accessible, outcomes is high quality, universally universally ishigh quality, outcomes psychological conditions by ages 6 to 7. These psychologicalparticularlyare effects for conditions childrenlow from ages distinct 7. by 6 to meaningfully physical the to and mental health our society. of housing, education, and other expenses. housing, and education, other pay a larger proportion their income of child to care is associated higher with maternal wages and more hours employment of when children in are first income families. income Better healthBetter means children can fuller school, live lives, days of miss fewer and contributes Past research in Manitoba has “found every child that for daycare either jobs job, other were 2.15 care on families are especially profound when it comes to to comes it when profound especially are families on care by poverty. affected most to bring and back mothers workforce to the can into help lift these vulnerable families poverty. out of that children in universal, low-cost childcare physical better have health development better and foundation improving availability for and affordabilityof child care. grade contributing to solvingcontributing to poverty feminization the of that plagues our society. created or sustainedcreated in local the economy” in child care $1 while invested “every provided for a return economy. Canada’s $1.45and economy for Winnipeg $1.38 the of for single mother families, who consistently are among those among those are who consistently families, mother single society in ways. multiple Children’s total number of hours in child care during infancy, toddlerhood, and the preschool years years preschool and the toddlerhood, infancy, during care child in hours of number total Children’s Collaboration between federal necessary and provincial is therefore governments provide a solid to Child care a family for may be second the largest household expense housing after and can be as high as 67% their monthly of income, food,nutritious making for difficultafford tofor a extremely family it a family headed a single-mother. by A proven method for lowering child lowering for method A proven Affordable and quality child care is beneficial ourto is beneficial and child quality care Affordable The percentage of children living in low-income households more than triples when they are part of part of are they when triples than more households low-income in living children of percentage The The effects of universally accessible and affordable child child affordable and accessible universally of effects The

Child Care Affordable INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL

and Accessible 26 29 are hild C ccessible C program is one of the best ways to combat child poverty, improve children’s combat children’s program to is improve one best the child ways of poverty, health, lessen financial the families,for burden and to helpbuildfairer us a and society. inclusive more impactedELCC. the by implore ensure that process the them to is a public one that takes into Implementing a universally accessible, affordable, and high quality childcare account and hears voices the Albertans of who been have so positively As the government begins its review of the ELCC program next year, we we program year, next ELCC the of beginsAs government the review its ffordable and A A It is imperative that we educate the Alberta Alberta the educate we that is imperative It investing of the importance public about to order in age early an from children in our success. future their ensure

82 The program has since expanded over to 79 INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL Fees dropped Fees 6% between and 2017 2018, evidence with to 83 80 81

barrier income low for families — in some cases can this fee be as high as number proposed centres. that when of is It likely Calgary ELCC finishes building proposed the all centres, of median ELCC child care will costs lower in Edmonton. in stable but seems be in Edmonton rising to in Calgary. Of these centres, 13.4% support fee. set that implementation the this is due to $25/day the of In Calgary increased fees 1%, by but Calgary has been reach the to slower all children live in a child care desert. care a child in live children all In 2017, the Alberta the launched government In 2017, Early the Learning and Child Care wait lists while 74% of centres in Calgary centres of waitlists, have and these while wait the for wait lists 74% thereafter will undergo a review, with no assurance with willthereafter undergo will a review, be that they continued one hundred province wide. centres The widely reported $25 per day or expanded. or centres are typically are centres 12 months or more. The is fairly prevalence wait lists of operators chargeof a one-time which fee, wait list may be an accessibility child care While where exist. costs these Calgary’s centres child care fees majorother metropolitan areas in Canada, In have Edmonton, 88% centres of space for every two children. two every for space $200. In Edmonton, there is only one child care care child one only is there Edmonton, In 2018, program has ELCC the already reduced median the child cost of care

(ELCC) program,(ELCC) whichfor offers children care to agedkindergarten 0 at aspect is aimed making at explicitly child care more affordablefor Albertans. are higherare middle-of are they than Edmonton’s, the-pack compared the to a subsidized $25/day. cost of According to a yearly childAccording survey of to care across fees Canada of inMay/June The ELCC pilot project willThe continue end the ELCC their until three-year of and terms This is even higher for Calgary, where half of of half where Calgary, higher for is even This 28 31 - - - - - Funding for affordable for Funding housing and homelessness is being 86 ousing H In 2018, federal the government, as part National the of agreed part to Housing Strategy, 85 Since November 2015, $13 billion had specific been to distributed housing projects across 84 in Alberta. build more affordable housing“4,100 forregeneratednew andAlbertans. afford to Thecreate target is help those precariously will only this potential a be if realized housed housed. stay to However, portable complement housing to applied is benefit correctly existing context Edmonton the to approaches. and programs maintained balance the for 2019-20 the of fiscalyear starting but the willthere in 2020 be a fiscal year, ner with provinces and territories to develop a portable develop ner to provinces with and territories Canada Housing Benefit initially delivering an ing management bodies like Capital Region Housing. Capital Region management like bodies ing Housing is a $40-billion Strategy plan that aims decrease to chronic homelessness 50% by within 10 expected that their risk of eviction will increase as a result. as increase will eviction of risk their that expected to significantly expand the number of Edmonton households receiving direct rent subsidies. The NDP rent direct receiving households Edmonton of number the expand significantly to tation in 2020-21 the fiscalyear. ta have created Housingta created have plans address Strategy to homelessness and The Canadian poverty. National years. Rental Assistance Program will be affected, but it is it but be affected, will Program Assistance Rental 24% reduction to the Rental the Assistance reduction to 24% Program and a 3.5% reduction in operating hous budgets for It is unclear how vulnerable populations relying on the on the relying populations vulnerable is unclear how It Canada. child poverty and combat prevent to average of $2,500 per year to qualifying households. This proposed national benefit has the potential potential the has benefit national proposed households. qualifying This $2,500 to year per of average able housing 2021”. units completed by housing is a necessity Affordable Alberta agreed co-develop government to and cost-share Canada the Housing Benefitfor implemen A portable housing evictions non-affordability due to would benefit prevent and rents market of The Alberta Government’s Affordable Housing has Strategy dedicated $1.2 to years billionover five The Government of Canada, Alberta Government as well as municipal governments throughout Alber throughout municipal as governments well as Canada, of Alberta Government Government The Housing

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 30 33 - - -

98 Consequently, Consequently, The number of 90 87 decreased emo decreased 92 behavioural issues, behavioural 91 and increased risk of family violence throughout life. throughout violence family of risk and increased Some of the women and children fleeing family violence violence family fleeing and children women the of Some 94 89 Violence

96 amily F 99 In addition, 33% adults in of Canada had experienced or witnessed some 88 increased risk of crime, of risk increased 93 97 homelessness. correlates with child poverty and child poverty with correlates Family violence within the home the home within violence Family less likely to receive information or information receive transportationless to likely police the leave their from home. to never be reported to police. Police involvement with women accessing emergency shelter services shelter accessing emergency women with involvement Police police. to reported be never may depend police, the choice involve and abuse, on the nature the victim’s the to of severity legisla ported family violence and non-family violence against children and youth nationally. and youth children against violence and non-family violence family ported mental health issues as adults. identified an increase in unemployment rates for women accessing shelter services from 69% 69% services from accessing shelter women for rates unemployment in an increase identified in 2010.in 2006 approximately 75% In addition, to 108,055 children turned from away were significant effects on children such as increased impulsivity, increased as such children on effects significant under-reporting to police. Adult women comprise 79% of police-reported victims of intimate partner intimate of victims police-reported of 79% comprise women Adult police. to under-reporting due to capacitydue to shortages. Fifty-six percent of children were females. From 2016 to 2017, there was a 6% there increase police-re of Fifty-six 2017, children females. 2016 percent of to were From In a ten-year analysis between 2000 and 2010, Alberta the Shelters Council Women’s of In 2017, 59,236 children and youth in Canada were victims of police-reported family violence incidents. incidents. violence family police-reported of victims Canada in were 59,236 and youth children 2017, In Indigenous children and youth are underrepresented in police-reported statistics. Family violence has violence Family statistics. police-reported in underrepresented are and youth children Indigenous In addition, children who have experienced or witnessed family violence are more likely to experience experience to likely more are violence family witnessed or experienced have who children addition, In violence (IPV) Canada.violence in will access family violence abuse. the be from safe to shelters Some incidents family of violence will children and youth admitted into emergency shelters shelters emergency into admitted and youth children in Alberta; 47% of these children were 3 years of age or or age of 3 years were children these of 47% Alberta; in tion guiding police of work the as as well training the and police. resources of Indigenous women are from Edmonton and Edmonton Calgaryfrom emergency shelters; 48% women and of children turned were away tional regulation, tional form of family violence during childhood. during violence family of form emergency shelters across Alberta. In addition, 80% of the women and children were turned away away turned were and children women the of 80% Alberta. addition, In across shelters emergency children and who experience youth family violence be in much home the due to is to greater expected From October 2009 to August 2010, there were 1,833 were there 2010, August to 2009 October From younger. Family Violence

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 32 35 Violence amily F

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 34 37

103

ices v er In conjunction with funding the children’s mental health health mental children’s the funding with conjunction In 105 S ealth These budgetary commitments are occurring alongside serious serious alongside occurring are commitments budgetary These The budget makes funding new mental commitments to health, the Even though is allocating government the Even $100 million a mental to 101 100 102 ccess H to A Health Budget Health & Children Health Mental mental health crisis in Alberta. publicly funded health system”. health funded publicly health and addictions strategy, there have been have there health no and plans addictions explain brought forward what to strategy, this strategy necessary mental health projects being are delayed. The proposed child and adolescent mental Alexandra Hospital Royal the at health centre has this budget. seen as of funding a result its deferred health and educational outcomes for children and youth by enhancing school-based and by addiction and youth children for and outcomes educational health mental programs across province”. the increasing years and past the is a serious few there over as need such. centres for Data the from palliative care, and $6 million assault sexual a new for that provides hotline “24-hour support a with sexual assaultsexual nurse examiner”. But the cuts to the system stemming from this budget stemming from will a far have more significant system the But to cuts the impactthe on In 2015 a report on mental health in Alberta NDP the from suggested government improving “mental will look like and what it will cover. Although is emphasizing government the will and look like this what funding will it cover. and strategy, Stollery Hospital Children’s and in Edmonton Alberta the Hospital Children’s in Calgary reported have 645 were there emergency self-harm,that in 2017-2018, to room visits related and increase from 2013-2014the number 294. of centre, adoptingcentre, policies such as recommended in 2015 will be beneficial in alleviatingthe children’s government’s promisegovernment’s “to maintain or increase health spending and provide a universally accessible, cuts to health services, and arguably breaking the government’s initial promise. initial government’s services, the health breaking and arguably to cuts opioid crisis, and things. other a variety of $100 million has been allocated a mental for health and efficiency of the system efficiencytheand system qualitythe of of Albertanscare receive. will standpoint the system appears publicly funded through through funded publicly appears system the standpoint By increasing funding in some areas, from a fiscal a fiscal from areas, some in funding By increasing addictions strategy, $40 millionaddictions has strategy, been pledged an Opioid for $20 million for Response Strategy, Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro has stated Shandro Tyler Minister Alberta Health health”. mental children’s in is no crisis “there that the spending commitments. spending the The number hospitalizations of mental children to of health related issues been have steadily The 2019 provincial budget makes funding new several meet provincial the commitments to Yet evidence shows otherwise. shows evidence Yet Health Services to Access

INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL 36 39 114 To receive this receive benefit,family’s a income To 112 ices v er 110 S ealth ccess H to A The Alberta seniors drug benefit programenables currently seniors theirof and any 111 These and thresholds lower middle-income exclude families whose income is the above 113 Pharmacare many Albertans, in resulting an increased financial burden on Albertansto increase who will have likely medications. non-senior dependants prescription drugs. coverage receive for to The program will be ending programs federal the government, by or initiated having up and province the step provide coverage plan”. years age anyone a private or younger for by 24 products free who covered is not must fall below a threshold that varies based on whether applicant the is a single parent or in a couple be earning less than $31,010, and a couple two kids with less than $36,634. Applicants this benefit for this benefit. with exist prescription complete, drugs—still andnot some restrictions—namely, including grandchildren being raised by their grandparents. their by raised being grandchildren including service and health costly creating potentially other problems down line. the Biosimilars and Initiative Maximum Allowable Cost pricing rules. Changes these programs of both to dental, prescription drugs, and counter the over vision care, diabetic supplies, and ambulatory service dependant coverage by the end of the year, with about with dependant 46,000 end the year, the coverage by of Albertans losing their drug coverage, will reduce drug benefitto of genericformsdrugs, coverage reducing for trade many coverage name households with a member who cannot afford to get the to get a afford member who cannot with households them, to prescribed been has that necessary medication coverage. some with even the amount of out-of-pocket payments for their payments medications. amountthe for out-of-pocket of of changes The first thetheset to are that provides some children coverage for is Alberta the Child Health Benefit. This program provides threshold. Excluding these families from drug coverage results in them paying more substantial sums sums substantial more paying them in results coverage drug from families these Excluding threshold. to children.to A model Alberta could is OHIP follow in Ontario, which “makes more than 4,400 drug coverage for childrencoverage for 18 and under in low-income families. out of pocket for prescription pharmaceuticals for pocket out of and services, other dissuading using them from that cannot AISH, by be covered be on income support, be sponsored a refugee federal the government, by Canadian by or be covered programs individuals for Nations First with or status. Metis This coverage is $37,546. Out-of-pocket drug expenses leave one in four Canadian Canadian four in one leave expenses drug Out-of-pocket It is It recommended that children universal receive prescription drug coverage, be whether it through and many how children in are household. the example, For a single parent two kids with would to have are livingare under national the poverty line, which a two-parent for and two children family is under This budget introduces program a variety of changes that will reduceprescription drug coverage for There currently is no pharmaceuticalThere currently coverage program children for in Alberta. The only program The income thresholds families qualify for to this program for also are so those who very do qualify low,

108 It is It also 106 109 INVEST IN FAMILIES: ENDING CHILD POVERTY IS GOOD FOR ALL

The Mackinnon report can will in government future take the the foreshadow steps the 107 The report recommends that “the should government increase clinics private use the of to 105

Privatization likely private—over the next four years. four next the private—over likely recommended that “The government should also increase the use of alternative service delivery— alternative of use the increase also should government “The that recommended be outsourced and The proposed privatized. outsourcing is in line goal the with to government the of regarding healthcare provision and spending. provision healthcare regarding in only Thisresult receive thosequickly. in treatment will what who to can is to known pay as afford steadily keep increasing the percentage of surgeries performed in non-hospital facilities— in surgical performed surgeries of percentage the increasing keep steadily services may in mean this statement that essential a variety of medical services to potential the have system. To find savings, the government is considering “outsourcing of linen and other services” other and linen of “outsourcing considering is government the find savings, To system. using not-for-profit or private facilities—for otherdelivering services facilities—for or andprivate programs in healthcareusing and not-for-profit deliver day surgeries and be procedures delivered other in hospitals”. to that have do not Healthcare spending recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Panel Report— or the Mackinnon the or Report— Panel Blue Ribbon the from recommendations spending Healthcare queue-jumping, wherethe those service whoto get canto pay afford quickly while creating longer quality care of Albertans as receive as well reduce their access and to coverage within health the waits for those who cannot afford to pay for treatment thosetreatment relyfor whoand for thewaits to cannot on publicpay afford deliveryof health services. from Albertafrom Health Services contractors. The (AHS) ambiguity private to other stemming from other areas”. other Report—have been increasing of in favour deliveryReport—have amount the private health of of services in Expanding the private delivery of health services harm will health of delivery Expanding private the Alberta. the majority of the population. the of majority the This will increase payments people out-of-pocket the access will make to health services, resulting The 2019 Budget has begun implement to these recommendations, which will negativelythe affect 38 41

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Measure MBM in Alberta, 2017 Alberta, in MBM to the CFLIM-AT according low in income the and of individuals Number 1. Figure called the Canadian Income Survey (CIS). The CIS is a yearly cross-sectional cross-sectional ayearly is (CIS). Survey CIS The Income the Canadian called needs MBM The until 2020. won’t available be of full update the MBM The goods. basket of the basic in included be should what on with the public consultation It is 2008. in based goods the costs of abasket of using essential calculated the threshold MBM for income is lower than the CFLIM-AT income threshold, for children aged 0to 17. aged for children why poverty estimates are higher with the CFLIM-AT across all populations. populations. with all the CFLIM-AT estimates across are higher why poverty Figure 1 illustrates the differences between the measurements used. Because Because used. measurements 1illustratesbetween Figure the the differences survey that provides a portrait of income and income sources for Canadians. for Canadians. sources income and of income aportrait provides that survey more people qualify as low income with the CFLIM-AT measurement. That is is That with the CFLIM-AT low measurement. income as qualify people more populations, the CIS dataset becomes very small, and so the MBM is less reliable reliable less is the MBM so and small, very becomes dataset the CIS populations, MBM CFLIM-AT