Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest rate of children living in food-insecure households of any province in Canada.
That’s according to a new study out of the University of Toronto, which draws on data from Stats Canada’s Canadian Income Survey that was conducted last year.
According to the study, 26.4 per cent of children under the age of 18 live in a food-insecure household in this province. That equates to about 22,000 of the province’s 84,0000 children.
Similar percentages came out of the rest of the Atlantic provinces, which were all between 24 and 26 per cent.
It should be noted that while the province has the highest overall rate, population does play a factor. Quebec has the lowest rate at 15.7 per cent, but that equates to 249,000 children. Similarly, Ontario has a rate of over 20 per cent, which is 565,000 kids.
Via The University of Toronto
Overall, according to the survey, 17.9 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians said they experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months, the fourth most of any province.
Data is not currently available for the territories.
The report calls the rates of food insecurity “disturbingly high,” noting that with record inflation the problem will only intensify if measures aren’t taken by government.
Via The University of Toronto
