Canada: 24% Parents Eating Less So Their Children Can Eat More, Says Report

Last Updated:November 22, 2024, 17:00 IST

The report said there are six million families with children under 18 in Canada. It said parents compromising on their food choices are more likely to face other severe food-related challenges

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian children and parents are shouldering a heavier burden when it comes to food security amid a massive cost of living crisis coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. A survey report said one in four – 24 per cent – parents are eating less so their children or family members can eat.

According to The Salvation Army’s ‘Annual Canadian Poverty & Socioeconomic Analysis 2024’ report, parents are experiencing a disproportionate number of challenges, especially food-related challenges. It, however, said there are indications that Canadians are feeling better about their circumstances.

The report, conducted between September 6 and 12, said there are six million families with children under 18 in Canada. Parents compromising on their food choices are more likely to face other severe food-related challenges, it said.

The cost of living crisis in Canada caused the Justin Trudeau-led government on Thursday to temporarily lift the federal sales tax off a number of items and send checks to millions of Canadians dealing with rising costs. With voters unhappy with Trudeau, the measures come ahead of an election between this fall and next October.

90% PARENTS REDUCING GROCERY BILLS TO PAY OTHER BILLS

The report shows in detail the proportion of parents, who say they eat less so their children can eat, and those who also face other food security challenges. It said those parents who say they eat less also compromise on other daily needs, it said.

It further said at least 90 per cent of the parents reduce grocery bills to pay other bills or stretch their money for the month. At least 86 per cent of the parents buy less nutritious food because it is cheaper and 84 per cent skip or reduce the size of at least one meal because they cannot afford to buy groceries, it added.

Parents are also more prone to missing bill payments due to financial constraints, which results in a greater risk of service interruptions, the report said.

WHAT IS CANADA DOING TO REDUCE IMPACT OF COST OF LIVING CRISIS?

As a federal election looms, Trudeau’s government has announced plans to temporarily lift the federal sales tax. “Our government can’t set prices at the checkout, but we can put more money in people’s pockets," he said at a press conference in Toronto.

Under the plan, Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to 150,000 Canadian dollars (USD 107,440) will receive a check for 250 Canadian dollars. Trudeau noted that even those earning at the high end of that amount have been struggling to get by.

An estimated 18.7 million Canadians will receive the one-time check. The federal goods and services tax (GST) break will begin December 14 and end February 15.

The government said the tax break will apply to a number of items, including children’s clothing and shoes, toys, diapers, restaurant meals, beer and wine. It also applies to Christmas trees, a variety of snack foods and beverages as well as video game consoles.

This is all to pacify Canadians frustrated by the cost of living crisis coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even as Trudeau has said he will lead his Liberal Party into the next election, he is in much trouble with the Liberals trailing opposition Conservatives 39 per cent to 26 per cent, as per latest polls.

(With agency inputs)

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