Ontario hunger report says 1 in 10 Ontarians can't afford a basic standard of living

A new report says that more people have been visiting food banks across the province more frequently, including a "concerning" number of people with full or part-time employment.

Feed Ontario's annualhunger report whichcaptures food bank usagein the province, analyzes trendsand provides recommendationsrevealed that 510,438 individuals visited food banks across the province, more than 3,059,000 times over the past year an increase of 8,848 more people.

And over the past three years, those with employment income who access food banks have increased by 27 per cent.

The organization says it may seem "counterintuitive" given that unemployment rates in Ontario are at their lowest point in the past 10 years, but precariousand temporary jobs andlow wages are resulting in struggling families.

Executive director of Feed Ontario,Carolyn Stewart called the number of people visiting food banks who receive employment income "unprecedented."

"Itshould be a concerning to everyone that we are seeing an increase in the number of employed individuals accessing our services," she said.

"Sometimes people have a very false impression or understanding of who it is that's accessing our services...people come from all walks of life when it comes to accessing a food bank."

These numbers, the organization says, show that while people are working, they can't afford all of their expenses, including food.

More temporary positions, lower wages

In its report, Feed Ontario says that almost half of all minimum wage workers who account for 15 per cent of Ontario's work force are above the age of 25, with one third of them holding a post-secondary degreeand a half working full time. Part-time work has also increased.

Meanwhile, the number of temporary positions such as "casual, seasonal, and contract roles" has increased by 31 per cent since 1998.

These positions,Feed Ontario said, have lower compensation and make it difficult for individuals to build savings for a home or support a family.

"All of these things really start to impact workers and their ability to make ends meet," said Stewart.

Feed Ontario also noted that since people are using more of their income on pricey housing, little is leftfor all other necessities, like food and clothing.

More than 87 per cent of those accessing hunger-relief programs are living in rentals or social housing, which takes up70 per cent of their income.

The two biggest groups of those using the food banks are single-person households and children, who comprise around 33 per cent of those using programs.

Stewart said that the numberof children points to families on limited income who are unable to make ends meet.

Government programs don't meet basic standard of living

Over 70 per cent of those accessing food banks say that social assistance or government benefits like employment insurance is their primary source of income.

But the income received from various programs isn't matching up to what's needed for basic necessities.

The market basket measure, which reflects the number ofpeople whose income can't afford the cost of necessitieslike housing and food, shows that1,435,140 people in Ontario are living below the poverty line, including 213,624 children.

Feed Ontario says that this means onein every 10 Ontarianshas insufficient income to afford a basic standard of living.

Stewart noted that social assistance programs in Ontario are not supporting individuals enough to help them move out of poverty. Ontario Works provides recipients with $733 a month, while the average single-person household would need $1,641 per month for basic necessities.

"While food banks across the province do incredible work and we are so proud of our network, you would not get anyone within our network that says thatit'sreplacement for good public policy," she said.

"Food banks see the symptoms of poverty... we're not a solution to this issue. Good public policy is."

In its report, Feed Ontario said that incomeprovided by Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program is also not keeping up with inflation, which means the gap between social assistance and what people need for a basic standard of living is growing.

The report calls on the government to close this gap, which can range between 23 to 60 per cent below the income that is needed.

The greatest difference noted by Feed Ontario is inOttawa-Gatineau, where the shortfall between Ontario Works and money needed to afford a basic standard of living is $1,057 a month.

Feed Ontario is also askingthe government to retain the current definition of disability under the Ontario Disability Support Program. A potentialchange noted by the provincial government in November 2018would exclude episodic illnesses such asdepression,Parkinson's disease, and diabeteswhich would meanpeople would no longer qualify for these benefits.

A decision has not yet been made.

It also recommendsthe development and introduction of a portable housing benefits to assist low-income families with high housing costs.

The number of people accessing services, the organization says, show that "there has never been a greater need for collective action than there is today."

Stewart noted that in the coming months, food banks coulduse help with thewinter weather and during the holiday season.

"The reality can flip so quickly for many individuals," she said.

"Today is always the day for collective action and there's never a better day for us to work collectively both with our communities alongside both our provincial and federal government because there definitely is a solution to the problems that are facing our province," she said.