Report: Canada's poverty and inequality rates now higher than in most developed countries
October 21
Tamara Slobogean

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A new study suggests poverty rates in Canada are rising and are now higher than rates in the average developed country.

In the ten years between 1995 and 2005, the report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says the Canadian income gap grew more dramatically than every other developed country, except Germany.

On Vancouver streets this morning, there are two different perspectives from two different men. One says he gets a handicapped pension cheque from the government every month. He adds, after he pays all his debts, he is broke for the rest of the month.

Another man says he just got married last year so with the dual income, and no kids, they're actually doing better this year.

Other people today agree and say wages aren't going up as fast as the cost of living.

Another person says he's a pensioner and he's reasonably well fixed. He admits he's not rich but he has learned over his life that it's great to consume less.

Times are better for some and much harder for others. The report also suggests Canada spends less on unemployment and family benefits than its developed counterparts.