StatsCan’s new poverty thresholds

Bill C-87 would make Statistics Canada’s market basket measure Canada’s first official poverty line. If passed, people with disposable income below a certain threshold would fall below the new poverty line. That threshold is based on the cost of a “basket” of essential goods and services, and varies by region across the country. Statistics Canada’s most recent basket measure is from 2016.

Here are the thresholds from that year for a family of four in different parts of the country: Toronto: $41,287 Montreal: $35,428 Ottawa-Gatineau: $40,614 Vancouver: $40,045 Quebec cities, pop. 30,00099,999: $32,970

Cape Breton, N.S.: $35,695