Social assistance rates in Alberta among highest in Canada: report
Posted Oct 16, 2019 1:03 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – In the wake of two recessions, an increased number of Alberta households are relying on social assistance.
A report by the University of Calgary School of Public Policy finds 3.7 per cent of households rely on government assistance due to the loss of jobs in the energy sector.
But instead of the problem levelling off in the last few years, the province is approaching some of the highest rates in Canada.
“Ontario has always had a very high level of reliance on social assistance, far higher than Alberta,” said Ron Kneebone with the University. “I’m surprised we have caught up, which is not a good thing.”
The report took in data from April 2007 to July 2019, showing the percentage of households needing social assistance has doubled in that timeframe.
Kneebone said the numbers follow a pattern with rates spiking after 2008 and 2013, but there doesn’t seem to be any recovery this time, even as rates fall in Ontario.
He adds this needs to be addressed in the provincial budget so people can stay afloat and also avoid indirect costs created by the situation.
“It puts pressures on charities who provide support for people dealing with other issues that tend to come from heightened levels of poverty and fiscal constraint. It leads to a lot of problems the government needs to be aware of.”
