A recent report by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) reveals that low-income families in Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Haliburton counties are struggling to afford basic necessities, including food. The report highlights the increasing rates of households facing food insecurity within the region. In 2020, 8.7% of households in Northumberland County, 10.2% in Kawartha Lakes, and 12.9% in Haliburton County were considered low-income and had difficulty paying for rent, bills, and healthy food. These families are forced to make tough choices between buying nutritious food and covering other essential expenses like housing and utilities.
The report indicates that the food insecurity rate in the HKPR District Area was 16.7% in 2021-22, up from 16.2% in 2019-20 according to the Canadian Income Survey. Statistics Canada data from April revealed that 8.7 million Canadians experienced some form of food insecurity. The health unit conducts an annual survey to determine the cost of a “Nutritious Food Basket” (NFB) based on national nutrition recommendations and average food purchasing patterns. In 2023, a family of four in the HKPR district with a median monthly income of $9,290 would need to spend 13% of their income ($1,184) on healthy food.
The report points out that for individuals relying on Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), their expenses often exceed their income, leaving them with insufficient funds for other basic needs such as medications, utilities, and communication services. For instance, a single person on ODSP with a monthly income of $1,372 would face a deficit ranging from $489 to $739 each month due to high rent and the cost of the NFB. The report also highlights the challenges faced by tenant households, with nearly 40% spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
The report criticizes ODSP and OW for providing incomes that are deemed inadequate, with rates failing to keep up with inflation and not meeting the basic costs of living. Despite recent increases to ODSP rates, the report argues that these support systems still fall short. The HKPR district has over 9,100 recipients of OW and ODSP combined, including individuals in Northumberland County, Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County. The report emphasizes the importance of raising the minimum wage to a living wage to ensure households can afford basic necessities and achieve a decent quality of life.
In response to the growing issue of food insecurity and poverty, the report calls for long-term income-based solutions to address the root causes of these problems. It advocates for improving employment standards, increasing social assistance rates, and implementing a basic income guarantee to reduce poverty and improve quality of life for residents. The report also urges residents, municipal leaders, and community partners to advocate for income-based solutions and support programs that make life more affordable, as well as encourage companies to prioritize the health and dignity of their employees. Food insecurity is recognized as a serious social and public health concern that requires sustained efforts to address and alleviate the financial burdens faced by low-income families in the region.
