Report shows children from racialized communities more likely to live in poverty

Nova Scotia has highest child poverty rate in Atlantic Canada

Halifax – Today’s report on the state of child poverty in Nova Scotia shows that racialized groups face higher levels of poverty in our province. The NDP Caucus is calling on the McNeil government to collect more information to help improve the lives of those most in need.

“This report shows poverty doesn’t impact everyone equally,” said Susan Leblanc, NDP Spokesperson for Community Services. “Our Caucus has asked the Liberal government for race-based data from the Department of Community Services and they can’t provide it.”

Today’s report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that Nova Scotia continues to have the highest rate of child poverty in Atlantic Canada. Over a third of children identified as part of a racialized community live in poverty and almost 40 per cent of children of African decent are among those highlighted by the report. Some of the highest rates of child poverty were found in First Nations communities. For example, Eskasoni has over 70 per cent.

“The only way to help solve structural issues that lead to inequality in our province is to ask individuals to self-identify and use that knowledge to support communities in need,” said Leblanc.

The report found that 18 communities in Nova Scotia have child poverty rates over 30 per cent -- ten on Cape Breton Island.

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