A new report released by the Children’s Aid Societies in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Ontario Social Planning Network shows a startling increase in the number of children living in poverty.

“Greater Trouble in Greater Toronto, Child Poverty in the GTA” found that 50 per cent of Ontario’s children in poverty now live in the GTA, up from 44 per cent in 1997. 

The report examines poverty trends among children 0 to 17 years of age and their families living in the GTA.  The trend is that child poverty is growing at alarming rates -- Peel has seen a 51 per cent increase in the number of children in poverty since 1997 – this means 71,007 children in our community are living in poverty.

At Peel Children’s Aid, we are first-hand observers of the impact child poverty has on our community. We will continue to work with our community partners to urge the government to take action now by implementing a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy.

The full report is available below.