Canadian children in poverty

Moccasin Musings
The measurement of a society is how they treat its weakest citizens. How do Canadians measure up?

The shocking news arrived today that more than 1 in 7 Canadian children live in poverty. Canada ranks 13 out of 17 industrial nations and ranks a "C" grade.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the latest statistics indicate that Canadian child poverty has been gradually increasing since 1989.
 The Conference Board of Canada in its report states that there is a clear link made between joblessness and poverty. "In Canada, relative poverty rates are highest among single parents and even more pronounced among non-working single parents. According to the OECD, non-employed families are the most economically disadvantaged, which means job creation strategies are an integral part of tackling poverty."

Countries such as Denmark are spending more of their gross domestic product to insure that families live above the poverty line. In fact, poverty rates are lowest among OECD countries where social spending is the highest.
 In Canada, the government is following a national, long-term anti-poverty strategy. However, despite a thought-out plan, child poverty continues to increase.

Dominique Fleury, in his research on poverty in Canada, has indicated that children who experience poverty are at higher risk of suffering health problems, developmental delays, and behaviour disorders. They tend to attain lower levels of education and are more likely to live in poverty as adults. This places a weight on Canada's capacity to sustain economic growth in years to come. Click below for more info.
   Moccasins and mukluks stomp for better care for Canadian children.

Gene Sanderson is owner, with his wife, Shirley, of Marie Shoes.com. Marie Shoes.com has been selling quality moccasins, mukluks and slippers around the world since 2006.