Alberta receives D- score from national food bank report

Canada's food bank annual poverty report card has given Alberta a D-, but one economist says there's more to the picture. Curtis Goodrum explains.

Food Banks Canada released its annual poverty report card, and while no province did exceptionally well, Alberta’s D- score put it near the bottom.

The report lists multiple ways Alberta is failing to meet the needs of those in poverty.

It also lists ways the province can help, including rental caps, low-income apprenticeships and developing a poverty reduction strategy.

In a statement, Food Banks Canada says “food insecurity in Canada has risen to crisis levels and we welcome a diversity of perspectives” and that “housing costs and struggles with affordability are impacting food security in every province.”

No province in the report got above a C grade.

University of Alberta economist professor John Marchand said there has been an increase in poverty levels from young adults looking for entry level jobs.

“That’s one way that a bad labour market for a particular cohort that’s coming out of school could translate into worse poverty measures,” said Marchand.

He adds that future reports should provide greater perspective on subjective categories, like how people are feeling about their own financial picture.

“It’s very difficult to see where to make progress if everything is a C, D, or F,” Marchand told CTV News Edmonton. “I believe in the measure for the poverty rate. I think that’s a strong component in this report.”

CTV News Edmonton reached out to the province for a response about the grading.