Why we are involved in this work

While there is no official definition of poverty in Canada, we know from people's experiences, wait lists for affordable housing, number of individuals and families using shelters and food banks, as well as the number of people accessing subsidized programs, that poverty continues to be complex and multi-dimensional in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.

Our community defines poverty as "Peel Individuals and families experiencing poverty struggle because of limited access to income, support, and resources. Poverty is about income, but also about the inability for individuals and families to live independently, focus on wellness and be involved in community life"

• Shrinking middle class neighbourhoods
• Change in average individual income for persons 15 years and older
• Rise in precarious , unstable employment particularly for racialized groups
• Rise in housing, childcare and food costs

Highlights of poverty in Peel in 2019-2020

• 12.8 percent (12.8%) or 175,980 residents are living in poverty
• The rate of poverty is 16 percent (16%) for racialized (visible minority) communities; this is higher than the regional and provincial averages
• 18 percent (18%) of Peel's children 0 to 17 years live in poverty
• 45 percent (45%) of renters spend more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter costs
• Between 2009 and 2016, the cost to feed a family of four per week increased by 26 percent to $197 per week
• In July 2020, the unemployment rate within Peel doubled to 16.3 percent (16.3%)
• The Peel youth unemployment rate reached a record high of approximately 38.6 percent (38.6%) as of July 2020