Will there always be poverty among us Presented by Lili-Anna Pereša, Centraide Prepared partly by Dr. Richard Massé, Public Health Director With the collaboration of Dr. Marie-France Raynault, Centre Léa Roback Presentation to McGill Centraide Committee Thursday, October 3, 2013

22.8% OF THE POPULATION BELOW LOW INCOME CUT-OFF

Comparison between welfare income and low income cut-off according to MBM, Quebec, CMA: Census metropolitan area

The course of a life Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy The richer The poorer

The course of a life The richer The poorer Among the poorest: More low birth weights More premature births More intra-uterine growth retardation Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy

The course of a life The richer The poorer School readiness relates to: Physical health and welfare Social adequacy Emotional maturity Cognitive and language development Communication and general knowledge Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy

The course of a life The richer The poorer Dropping out of school causes: Social exclusion and adjustment problems Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy

The course of a life The richer The poorer Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy Individuals with less education experience: A more precarious social position Difficulties adapting to technological changes Greater job insecurity

The course of a life Between different Montreal neighbourhoods: Average income ranges from $17,000 to $103,000 The percentage of individuals living below low income cut-off ranges from 4% to 46% The richer The poorer Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy

The course of a life The most deprived neighbourhoods account for: More substandard housing units More injured pedestrians, cyclists and motorists More effects on human health from “heat islands”, etc. The richer The poorer Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy

The course of a life The richer The poorer Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy Compared to richer people, underprivileged people: Generally adopt a less healthy lifestyle Perceive their health to be poor Are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases and mental health problems

The course of a life The richer The poorer Compared to richer people, less well-off individuals: Live almost 6 years less on average Die prematurely of causes deemed preventable, in greater number Birth School readiness Dropping out of school Integration into the workplace Income Level Living environment Health condition Life expectancy

Certain groups are more vulnerable than others to insecurity Unemployment rate for recent immigrants and general population Montreal, 2006 Recent immigrants General population

Life expectancy chart (years) Montreal CLSC territories,

Eating well without food banks? Sources of data for : Social welfare income and MBM: National Council of Welfare; Rent: CMHC; NFB: Montreal Diet Dispensary; Transport cost: STM

When we compare Percentage of individuals living below low income cut-off according to Market Basket Measure* - Census metropolitan areas * Base year: 2008

Not a black and white picture These results reflect: The increasing income inequalities in Canada The positive impact of Quebec’s social policies, specifically family policies

World Health Organization 2008 Closing the gap in a generation Improve daily living conditions Tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money and resources Measure and understand the problem and assess the impact of actions taken

How far we have come… Child mortality rate (0-1 year old) according to income group Montreal, to Rate per 1000 Upper income group Lower income group

How far we have come… Under-20 mortality rate according to income group Montreal, to Rate per 1000 Upper income group Lower income group

The earlier the investment, the better the return Skill Formation and the Economics of Investing in Disadvantaged Children James J. Heckman, et al. Science 312, 1900 (2006)

89% of investments goes to agencies directly serving the population Investment of 47 M$ in 369 community agencies and projects to : Break the cycle of poverty Support the mobilization of communities Develop the full potential of the agencies 11% of investments goes to community building and support for community action: 8% to support local round table 3% to support training to community agencies Centraide’s priorities

What about Centraide Mission-specific funding Versus remote-controlled project funding The community can best identify its needs Facilitates co-operation with other organizations in the field Allows for innovation Allows for greater power-sharing

Centraide’s Governance Structure