'Unprecedented numbers': Alberta sees huge demand at food banks
A new report from Food Banks Canada shines a light on the growing number of Canadians struggling to feed themselves.
The inaugural Poverty Report Cards aim to capture the different challenges facing each province and territory regarding poverty and food insecurity.
"Poverty is a reality for at least 2.8 million Canadians, and even more live with food insecurity. This dire situation has led to unprecedented numbers of food bank visits," reads the report.
"Our country needs a collective and concerted effort from all levels of government to ensure that poverty growth not only slows down but actually reverses course so that we can get Canada to a place where no one is forced to turn to a food bank to make ends meet."
The report card gives each province a letter grade by focusing on four main categories: experience of poverty, poverty measures, material deprivation and legislative progress.
Leading the way is Quebec with a B- while Nova Scotia trailed all other provinces with an F.
Alberta received a D, which is slightly below the national average of D+.
According to the report, Alberta saw a 73 per cent increase in demand at food banks across the province from 2019 to 2022, which was more than double the national rate for the same timeframe.
The report also shows that nearly half of all Albertans feel financially worse off today than just one year ago.
While the report highlighted several recent government initiatives to reduce poverty and assist low-income Albertans, it also put forward policy recommendations to address poverty and food insecurity in the province further.
Some of those recommendations include introducing a provincial poverty reduction strategy, expanding the temporary rent assistance benefit, dedicating 0.5 per cent of the provincial budget each year to affordable rental housing construction and raising the minimum wage to $17 per hour while also indexing it to inflation.
The Calgary Food Bank says they usually hand out roughly 500 emergency hampers daily during the busiest months of the year, but lately, it has been handing out approximately 700 hampers daily.
"We're continuing to see approximately 30 per cent increases year-over-year for demand and that's for our emergency food hamper program," said Betty Jo Kaiser, a spokesperson for the Calgary Food Bank.
"That's a big number. It's huge."
Nationwide, the report highlighted that about 43 per cent of Canadians feel financially worse off today than in 2022, while 22 per cent say they would be unable to cover an unexpected expense of $500 or more.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.