Poverty in Canada. 2nd ed.

Jeffrey Moon is head of the Documents Reference/Data Centre at Queen’s
University.

This statistically rich and sometimes controversial volume sets out to
redefine how Canadians measure poverty. According to the author, “[the
fact that] people with the same income can have substantially different
standards of living” is not adequately accounted for by Statistics
Canada’s “Low Income Cut-Off” (LICO) figures, which in Sarlo’s
view greatly overestimate the number of poor in Canada.

This argument is thoroughly and convincingly presented, with a “basic
necessities” approach to poverty measurement offered as an
alternative. There is a substantial appendix dealing with “the myth of
income inequality,” as well as a section that updates figures
presented in the 1992 edition of this book. Enlightening chapters on the
“true costs” of food, shelter, and other necessities are provided,
along with chapters on social assistance. One chapter discusses how
existing poverty statistics must be qualified on the basis of such
factors as mortgage-free home ownership, rent subsidies, student status,
and self-employment.

Well written, logical, and persuasive, this book has a strong “fiscal
conservative” tone. Some of its suggestions—e.g., that poor families
use “couponing, comparison shopping and garden plots” to reduce food
costs—will raise the ire of some readers. That said, there is probably
no more-complete treatment of poverty in Canada today.