Reduction of Food Insecurity among Low-Income Canadian Seniors as a Likely Impact of a Guaranteed Annual Income
Abstract
Abstract
Canada has episodically discussed guaranteed annual income (GAI) as a poverty reduction strategy, and the idea has garnered renewed attention. We investigate the potential effectiveness of such a strategy by examining food insecurity as an indicator of poverty in unattached low-income adults age 55 to 74 years before and after they become age-eligible for publicly financed pensions at age 65. Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2007–2013) showed that Canadians over age 65 have half the prevalence of food insecurity of low-income Canadians under 65. Seniors' public pensions, as an example of GAI, are an effective poverty reduction strategy.
Résumé
Le revenu annuel garanti (RAG), en tant que stratégie de réduction de la pauvreté, a régulièrement fait l'objet de débats au Canada, et l'idée retient aujourd'hui de plus en plus l'attention. Dans cet article, nous évaluons l'efficacité d'une telle stratégie, en utilisant l'insécurité alimentaire comme indicateur de la pauvreté chez les adultes célibataires de 55 à 74 ans à deux moments : avant l'âge de l'admissibilité aux pensions publiques, c'est-à-dire 65 ans, puis après. Les données de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (2007–2013) montrent que la prévalence de l'insécurité alimentaire est 50 % moins élevée chez les Canadiens de plus de 65 ans que chez les Canadiens à faible revenu de moins de 65 ans. Les pensions publiques versées aux personnes âgées, considérées comme un exemple de RAG, sont donc une stratégie efficace de réduction de la pauvreté.
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Published In
Canadian Public Policy
Volume 42 • Number 3 • September 2016
Pages: 274 - 286
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© Canadian Public Policy / Analyse de politiques.
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Published online: 24 August 2016
Published in print: September 2016
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Canadian Public Policy 2016 42:3, 274-286
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