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Full-time work at minimum wage is not an escape from poverty.

No matter where you live in Canada, the minimum wage does not bring a full-time, year-round minimum wage worker up to the poverty line.

In 2006, 2.1 million workers across Canada - full and part-time - were low wage workers earning less than $10/hour.

Working poor parents are stuck behind a "low wage wall" in poorly paid jobs with few, if any, benefits or opportunities for education, training and advancement.

Almost 2 out of every 5 jobs - 37% - are considered "precarious", that is part-time, temporary, contract or self-employed. These jobs are unlikely to provide families with health and dental benefits or pensions.

2007 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada

News Releases

Campaign 2000 - Toronto, Ontario, 27 Oct 09

Ontario Government Moves Forward on Early Learning

Toronto – Ontario Campaign 2000 welcomes today’s announcement that the Ontario government will begin to start phasing in full day learning for 4 and 5 year olds this September.

“We’re pleased to see the Ontario government has kept its important election commitment to early learning, and the promised investment of $500 million over the next 2 years. Access to high quality early learning and child care benefits children and is an important pathway out of poverty for low income families,” said Jacquie Maund, Coordinator of Ontario Campaign 2000.

“Despite tough economic times the provincial government has taken a significant step toward building the comprehensive early childhood education and care system that Ontario families need. This is a major “u-turn” that will transform the way all families can use early learning and child care services. Campaign 2000 is pleased to note that the first phase of this universal program will begin in schools in low income neighbourhoods,” said Laurel Rothman, National Coordinator, Campaign 2000.

“But with tens of thousands of children on child care waiting lists across the province there’s more work to do. We urge the provincial government to continue building a high quality, public system of affordable early learning and child care services for children aged 0-12 years. Families need to know that these services will be available now, during this recession, and in the future. In the life cycle of families, most parents need reliable child care if they are to look for work, get job training and get back in the workforce.”

Contact: Laurel Rothman - laurelro@familyservicetoronto.org - tel: 416-595-9230, x228 or 416-575-9230