Data

In 2006, 24.3% of children in metro Vancouver were living in poverty.

Date

1976-2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

The poverty rate is based on the proportion of children (ages 17 years and under) that live in households where the household incomes fall below the pre-tax Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), which is set by Statistics Canada every year. Children living in families with household incomes that fall below the LICO for their household size and community size are considered to be living in poverty.

In 2006, almost a quarter of children were living in poverty in metro Vancouver. While the child poverty rate declined by almost 6% between 2005 and 2006 for the region, the rate increased by 52.8% since 1989 when the House of Commons unanimously passed a resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000.

The region's child poverty rate was higher than the national and provincial rates. In 2006, the national rate was 15.8%. The provincial rate was 21.9%. BC had the highest child poverty rate of all provinces for the fifth year in a row.

Child Pre-tax Poverty Rates (LICO 1992-base) for Canada, BC, and Metro Vancouver, 1976-2006

CMA Comparison

Given that BC has the highest child poverty rate among all the provinces, it is not surprising that metro Vancouver's rate is higher than child poverty rates in other large CMAs. The child poverty rate in Toronto in 2006 was 20.8%. The child poverty rate in Calgary was 12.1%.

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada's Income Trends in Canada, 1976-2006

Link

http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=13F0022X&CHROPG=1

Data

In 2005, the average annual income for people with a
Bachelor's degree in Vancouver was $33,016, compared to $22,191 for those with certificates, diplomas, or degrees below a Bachelor's.

Date

2005

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

People who complete higher levels of education tend to earn more money.

In 2005, those with a Bachelor's degree or above had higher average incomes than those with certificates or diplomas below a Bachelor level. Those with a Bachelor's degree had a median annual income of $33,016 and those with a certificate, diploma, or degree above a Bachelor degree had an average annual income of $43,245. By comparison, those with a certificate or diploma below a Bachelor level had a median income of $22,191.

Despite having the same level of education, women had lower median annual incomes than men no matter what the highest education level achieved. Women with a certificate, diploma, or degree above a Bachelor level had a median income of $37,982, compared to $49,730 for men. The difference in the average incomes for men and women is even more pronounced for those who had a certificate or diploma below a Bachelor's level. While men with an education above a Bachelor's degree earned 31% more than their female counterparts, men with certificate or a diploma below a Bachelor's level earned 48% more than women with the same level of education.

Median Income for Men and Women by Highest Level of Education in Metro Vancouver, 2000 and 2005

The median incomes went down from 2000 to 2005 by all levels of education achieved.

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

'Highest certificate, diploma or degree' refers to the highest certificate, diploma or degree completed based on a hierarchy which is generally related to the amount of time spent 'in-class.' For postsecondary completers, a university education is considered to be a higher level of schooling than a college education, while a college education is considered to be a higher level of education than in the trades. Although some trades requirements may take as long or longer to complete than a given college or university program, the majority of time is spent in on-the-job paid training and less time is spent in the classroom.

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

Data

In 2005, 78% of metro Vancouver residents' incomes were from earnings.

Date

2005

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Incomes come from a variety of sources. Incomes can be earned through employment or obtained through government transfers (such as income assistance or the child tax credit), or through other sources (such as interest on investments).

In 2005, 78% of metro Vancouver's residents' incomes came from employment. By comparison, 8.8% of metro Vancouver's residents' incomes were received through government transfers.

A larger proportion of men's incomes came from earned income, with 81.3% of men's incomes coming from earned income, compared to 73.1% for women. Conversely, a larger proportion of women's incomes came from government transfers (12.7% of women's compared to 6.2% of men's) and other sources (14.2% of women's compared to 12.6% of men's).

Source of Income in BC and Metro Vancouver, 2005

In 2000, a similar proportion of metro Vancouver's incomes came from earned income (78.7%). Government transfers as a percent of total income declined from 9.6% in 2000 to 8.8% in 2005. Meanwhile, other sources of income as a percent of total incomes increased from 11.7% to 13.2% in that same time period.

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

Data

In 2005, 17.1% of economic families in metro Vancouver were living in poverty.

Date

2005

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Rates of poverty vary by household structure, with some household types having higher poverty rates than others.

Households led by couples had a poverty rate of 14.3% in 2005. Couples without children had a poverty rate of 11.2%, but couples with children had higher poverty rates. For example, a household led by couples with children between the ages of 6 and 17 years had a poverty rate of 19.4%. The rate for couples with children under 6 years and with other children between 6 and 17 years was 23.5%.

Households led by female lone-parents have higher poverty rates than both households with children led by couples or male lone-parents. Female lone-parent households in metro Vancouver had a poverty rate of 35%. Poverty rates were even more pronounced for female lone-parent families with the presence of children under the age of 6 years. The poverty rate for male lone-parent families was 22.2%.

Individuals living alone also had high poverty rates, with a rate of 35.5%. Seniors living alone had an even higher poverty rate (42.6%). Those individuals in the region living with non-relatives had a poverty rate of 54.3%.

Pre-Tax Poverty Rates (LICO - 1992 Base) by Household Type in Metro Vancouver,

2000 and 2005

While the overall poverty rate stayed the same between 2000 and 2005, the poverty rates for most household types in the region declined in that time. Couples with children over the age of 6 years saw a slight increase in their poverty rates, as did individuals living with non-relatives.

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

"Economic family type" refers to either economic families or unattached individuals. An economic family is defined as a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common law or adoption. An unattached individual is a person living either alone or with others to whom he or she is unrelated, such as roommates or a lodger.

Source

Statistics Canada, Census 2006

Link

www.statcan.ca

Data

In 2006, 23% of seniors reported employment income in metro Vancouver.

Date

2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

As the proportion of seniors living in our region increases, it is important to look at the sources of incomes for this age group to order to determine what policies are the most effective at minimizing poverty for our oldest citizens.

Almost all metro Vancouver seniors received income through government transfers (98%) in 2006. While 92% of seniors with income received money through Old Age Security (OAS), 82% received money through the Canadian Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP). Over half of seniors received income from private pension plans (54%) and 61% received income from investments. Almost a quarter of seniors reported employment income (23%) in 2006 in metro Vancouver. The proportion of seniors receiving income from employment is important to watch over time, as changes in the retirement age policies mean that more seniors could be working until later in life.

Source of Annual Income for Seniors in Metro Vancouver, 2006

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Not all sources of incomes or breakdowns of sources are provided in this table. See Cansim table for more sources and breakdowns.

Employment income includes wages and salaries, commissions from employment, training allowances, tips and gratuities, and net self-employment income (business, professional, commission, farming and fishing income).

Investment income includes dividend income reported on line 120 of the tax return, or interest and other investment income reported on line 121, or both. Dividend income consists of dividends from taxable Canadian corporations (as stocks or mutual funds). Interest and other investment income includes interest from Canada Savings bonds, bank accounts, treasury bills, investment certificates, term deposits, earnings on life insurance policies, and foreign interest and dividend income.

Government transfer payments are payments to individuals by the federal or provincial governments: Employment Insurance (EI), Goods and Services Tax Credit (GST) and Harmonized Tax Credit (HST), Canada Child Tax Benefit, Old Age Security (OAS) and net federal supplements, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), Workers' Compensation, Social Assistance and provincial refundable tax credits and Family Benefits.

The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is part of the OAS program, a federal government program that guarantees a degree of financial security to seniors. All persons in Canada aged 65 years and over, who are Canadian citizens or legal residents, may qualify for a full OAS pension, depending on their years of residence in Canada after reaching the age of 18. OAS benefits include all benefits reported for the reference year, excluding Guaranteed Income Supplements (GIS) and Spousal Allowance benefits (SPA). Starting with 1994 data, OAS income of non-filing spouses was estimated and included in the tables.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) are compulsory contributory social insurance plans that protect workers and their families against loss of income due to retirement, disability or death. CPP and QPP benefits include all benefits reported for the reference year.

Private pensions include pension benefits other than Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP).

RRSP income is money withdrawn from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), either as a lump sum or as a periodic payment. Only RRSP income of persons aged 65 years or older is included.

Source

Statistics Canada, Cansim Table 111-0035

Link

n/a

Data

In 2007, there were 3,119 consumer bankruptcies in Metro Vancouver.

Date

2000-2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Consumer bankruptcy happens when assets of an individual are liquidated and given to people who are owed money. Bankruptcy is a last resort when debts can no longer be managed.

In 2007, there were 3,119 consumer bankruptcies in metro Vancouver. The number of consumer bankruptcies decreased by 18.8% between 2000 and 2007 in the region. Consumer bankruptcies increased by 6.2% nationally between 2000 and 2007 and decreased by 27.6% in BC.

Consumer Bankruptcies for Canada, BC, Metro Vancouver and Other Select Municipalities, 2000-2007

CMA Comparison

Most Eastern cities have experienced increases in the number of consumer bankruptcies between 2000 and 2007. However, Western cities have seen mostly decreases in that same time period. Toronto had a 40.4% increase in the number of consumer bankruptcies between 2000 and 2007, while Calgary saw a decrease of 42.3%.

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Industry Canada, Office of the Superintendant of Bankruptcy Canada, "Annual Statistics Report" for years 2000 to 2007, tables 2,3 and 8 for each report

Link

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/en/br01775e.html

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/bsf-osb.nsf/en/br01711e.html

Data

In 2007, the cost of eating for a family of four was $796 per month in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and $687 per month in the Fraser Health region.

Date

2007

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

Each year, the Dietitians of Canada price out the food items listed in Health Canada's National Nutritious Food Basket at 106 grocery stores (of various sizes) across the province. In 2007, for the first time, the report included breakdowns of the average cost of food for a family of four by health region.

The average cost of eating for a family of four in BC was $715 per month in 2007, compared to $653 per month in 2006, a 10% increase.

In 2007, a family of four in the Vancouver Coastal Health region had the highest average cost of eating among the health regions, at $796 per month (11% more than the provincial average). The cost of eating in the Fraser Health region was below the provincial average, at $687 per month.

Average Cost of Eating for a Family of Four in BC and Health Regions, 2007

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Caution should be applied, however, when interpreting any apparent trend in the cost of the food basket across multiple years due to varied methodology. Given the improved data collection methodology, it is believed that the 2007 cost of the food basket more accurately reflects the reality in BC.

In some communities the cost of the basket may be significantly higher than that reported as the health region average. For example, in Northern Health, the average cost for one dozen eggs was $2.58 (at the time of the costing survey), while in a small and isolated community within that region the price was $3.27.

The family of four includes an adult male and female and two children.

Source

Dietitians of Canada, Cost of Eating 2007

Link

http://www.dietitians.ca/resources/resourcesearch.asp?fn=view&contentid=1944

Data

The elderly poverty rate in metro Vancouver was 14.5% in 2006.

Date

1976-2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

The elderly poverty rate measures the proportion of seniors (ages 65 years and over) with household incomes that fall below the pre-tax Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), which is set by Statistics Canada every year. Seniors with household incomes that fall below the LICO for their household size and community size are considered to be living in poverty.

The elderly poverty rate has dropped substantially over the past 30 years. In 1976, the elderly poverty rate was 48.1% in metro Vancouver. The 2006 rate of 14.5% is 70% lower than the rate in 1976. In fact, the region's elderly poverty rate in 2006 was the lowest rate in 30 years.

Poverty rates for seniors have been dropping over the years across the country partly due to the introduction of the Old Age Security (OAS) program, which provides a modest guaranteed income for seniors and because more people are working beyond the age of 65 years.

The elderly poverty rate was much higher for metro Vancouver than the national and provincial rates. The elderly poverty rate for Canada was 12.9% in 2006. The rate for BC was 11%.

Elderly Pre-tax Poverty Rates (LICO 1992-base) for Canada, BC, and

Metro Vancouver, 1976-2006

Seniors living on their own in metro Vancouver were much more likely to be living in poverty than those living in economic families. Unattached seniors (those living on their own) had a poverty rate of 37.6% in 2006, compared to 7.2% for those living with other relatives. The poverty rates for seniors living on their own and in economic families have both decreased over the past thirty years.

CMA Comparison

The poverty rate for seniors in metro Vancouver was higher than the rates in other large CMAs. The elderly poverty rate in Toronto was 12.6% in 2006, while the rate in Calgary was 9.4%.

Data Considerations

"Economic family type" refers to either economic families or unattached individuals. An economic family is defined as a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common law or adoption. An unattached individual is a person living either alone or with others to whom he or she is unrelated, such as roommates or a lodger.

Source

Statistics Canada's Income Trends in Canada, 1976-2006

Link

http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=13F0022X&CHROPG=1

Data

The monthly shortfall between BC income assistance rates and the cost of living in 2007 was:

- $752.20 for a single adult;

- $1,827.61 for a single parent with a child (3 years);

- $1,916.26 for a couple without children; and

- $2,617.38 for a couple with 2 children (4 and 1 years).

Date

2007

Geography

BC and Metro Vancouver

Description

The Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC BC) releases reports comparing the BC welfare incomes to the cost of living when there are changes in the BC Employment and Assistance rates for the temporary assistance category. In April 2007, the BC Employment and Assistance rates were increased (see http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/2007/increase.htm for information on the rate changes).

The SPARC BC report found that the new rates still left BC's welfare claimants behind. Even with the increases, a single adult could only cover 45% of their living costs in 2007. The total welfare income for single adults in metro Vancouver did not even cover the cost of rent. A couple without children receiving income assistance in BC could only cover 46% of their costs. After covering the cost of rent in metro Vancouver, couples without children on income assistance would only have $162.22 per month left for all other costs, such as food, clothing and transportation.

A single parent with a child of three years could cover 72% of their costs, up from 57% in 2005, while a couple with two children (both under the age of 6 years) could cover 70% compared to 57% in 2005. The large increase in the proportion of costs covered for households with children under 6 years is largely due to the introduction of the federal Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), which provides all families with $100 per month per child under 6 years.

Adequacy of BC Employment and Assistance in Meeting

Minimum Living Costs by Household Type, 2007

Until the 2007 increases, welfare incomes had not changed in BC for over a decade. Meanwhile, the cost of living has increased over that time, meaning that welfare incomes have been losing purchasing power since the last increase. The 2007 increases restored the percent of costs met to the 2002 levels, but still fall well short of covering basic living costs.

CMA Comparison

n/a

Data Considerations

Welfare incomes are consistent across the province and change depending on household composition. The monthly rental rates listed in the figures above are for metro Vancouver.

Source

SPARC BC, Still Left Behind 2008

Link

http://www.sparc.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_docman&task=

browsebydate&Itemid=110&catid=82&year=2008&month=02&dir=

DESC&orderby=date

Data

In 2006, the poverty rate for metro Vancouver was 19.0%.

Date

1976-2006

Geography

Metro Vancouver

Description

The poverty rate measures the proportion of individuals that fall below the pre-tax Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), which is set by Statistics Canada every year. People with household incomes that fall below the LICO for their household size and community size are considered to be living in poverty.

In 2006, 19% of metro Vancouver's residents were living in poverty. The rate declined by 23% between 1996 and 2006. The overall poverty rate for metro Vancouver hit a 30 year high in 2002 with a rate of 24%, but the rates have been dropping since that time.

Metro Vancouver's overall poverty rate was higher than the national and provincial rates of 14.5% and 16.9% respectively in 2006. National and provincial rates have also been declining since 2002, although the 2002 figures were not historic highs at the national and provincial levels.

Overall Pre-tax Poverty Rates (LICO 1992-base) for Canada, BC, and Metro Vancouver, 1976-2006

The poverty rate for women in metro Vancouver was 8.2% higher than the rate for men in the region in 2006. Over the past thirty years, the poverty rates for women have generally been higher than those of men. The gap does seem to be narrowing over time. In 1976, the poverty rate for women in the region was 23.5% higher than the rate for men, whereas by 1996, the rate for women was 10.2% higher.

CMA Comparison

The overall poverty rate in 2006 was higher than the rates in other large CMAs. In 2006, 16.9% of Toronto's residents were living in poverty and 11.4% of Calgary's residents had incomes below the pre-tax LICO.

Data Considerations

n/a

Source

Statistics Canada's Income Trends in Canada, 1976-2006

Link

http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=13F0022X&CHROPG=1