A report card on child poverty by two organizations in the field concludes that Newfoundland and Labrador saw the steepest increase in the country among children under six.

The Jimmy Pratt Foundation and Choices for Youth teamed up on the study, garnering input from the Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.

They found that 25 per cent of children under six in the province live in poverty, the highest recorded in Canada. That’s four points higher than the 21 per cent reported last year. Racialized children experience poverty at 31 per cent, double the national average

The report card also find that housing and food insecurity are escalating but recent initiatives such as the three-year poverty reduction strategy, an expansion of school food services and grocery gift card pilots are important steps toward addressing the issue.

Choices says beyond lacking access to essentials like food and shelter, many children are experiencing a deeper sense of disconnection from their peers and communities.