Poverty costs

This report details graphically the current situation and asks piercing ques- tions such as, “Are we succumbing to the myth that poverty is about individual choices rather than the systems we create in our societies?” and the question being asked by many other provinces and those who work at the national level, “How much does it cost to perpetuate poverty in Alberta?” The section on poverty by num [...] Indicators show that despite efforts from hard-working individuals in the government and non-profit organizations, the poverty rate in Alberta has not significantly changed in the last five years; in fact, the average gap ratio is increasing, which suggests that low-income Alber- tans continue to fall further behind. [...] Many are poor because they are marginalized and alienated from the workforce and society at large for a 6 Poverty in Alberta and Canada variety of. [...] People may live in poverty because they lack physical, emotional and psychological support within their families and communities; and many people continue to live in poverty because between working and family responsibili- ties, there’s not enough time in the day or money in the bank to make ends meet. [...] As a result, the working-poor in Alberta tend to be the first to be hurt and the last to get help.