NipU prof releases report on poverty

Nipissing University
News Release

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Dr. Chris Sarlo, economics professor and noted poverty researcher, has completed a new study on poverty, released today by the Fraser Institute.

The report, titled What is Poverty? Providing Clarity for Canada, states that efforts to accurately measure and define poverty in Canada have been hindered by inconsistent and poor quality data, resulting in a confusing picture that is often further distorted by politicians and activists. Sarlo finds that poverty has remained in the four to six per cent range since 1996, in contrast to recent media reports that claimed census data showed increased levels of poverty and a growing gap between rich and poor.

Sarlo calls for Statistics Canada to improve the quality and reliability of its data collection and suggests that more work is needed to get an accurate picture of the extent and varying levels of poverty in Canada.

Sarlo, who is also a senior fellow with the Fraser Institute, has long argued that the most realistic and credible measurement of poverty is one based on the necessities of life. Since 1992, he has completed a series of major monographs relating to the definition and measurement of poverty. His work has been credited with a shift towards market basket measures, the cost of a list of necessities, in Canada.

The complete What is Poverty? Providing Clarity for Canada report is available at www.fraserinstitute.org.

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