Saskatchewan's Child Poverty Crisis Deepens with Highest Provincial Rate in Canada
While Saskatchewan's government frequently promotes economic prosperity, a more troubling reality persists for the province's most vulnerable residents. New data reveals a deepening child poverty crisis that demands urgent attention.
Alarming Statistics Paint a Bleak Picture
In 2023, 78,050 children under 18 in Saskatchewan lived in poverty, representing a staggering child poverty rate of 27.1 percent. This figure significantly exceeds Canada's national child poverty rate of 18.3 percent and stands as the highest among all provinces.
The situation becomes even more concerning when examining specific demographics:
- Children under six face a poverty rate of 30.39 percent, meaning nearly one-third of young children in Saskatchewan live in poverty
- Almost half of children in lone-parent families experience poverty, with a rate of 49.4 percent
- Northern regions of the province report child poverty rates exceeding 60 percent
Government Response and Historical Context
Despite these concerning indicators, the Saskatchewan Party government has maintained relative silence on the growing child poverty issue. Premier Scott Moe's administration continues to highlight positive economic metrics while largely avoiding substantive discussion of poverty reduction.
The government's sole poverty reduction strategy, released in 2016, promised to reduce "enduring poverty (lasting two years or longer) by 50 percent by 2025." This plan faced criticism from its own advisory group members who deemed it inadequate. As the 2025 deadline approaches, poverty in Saskatchewan has not only persisted but deepened, particularly affecting children.
The Depth of Poverty in Saskatchewan
Beyond the sheer number of children living in poverty, Saskatchewan faces another troubling dimension: the depth of poverty. This measurement, often called the "poverty gap," indicates how far below the poverty line families' incomes fall in relation to the after-tax low-income measure.
Saskatchewan low-income families experience the largest poverty gaps of all provinces, with only Nunavut and the Northwest Territories recording larger gaps in certain economic families. This means that not only are more children living in poverty in Saskatchewan, but those in poverty are experiencing more severe deprivation.
Geographic Disparities Within the Province
Child poverty rates vary dramatically across Saskatchewan's economic regions, revealing significant geographic disparities. Northern areas consistently report enduringly high poverty levels, with rates exceeding 60 percent for children under 18. This contrasts with urban centers, though even these areas face substantial challenges.
The rural-urban divide in poverty rates highlights how economic prosperity remains unevenly distributed throughout the province, with remote and northern communities bearing the heaviest burden.
A Call for Action and Accountability
As Saskatchewan approaches the ten-year mark since its initial poverty reduction promise, the data suggests the government's approach has been insufficient. The growing and deepening child poverty crisis contradicts narratives of widespread economic prosperity and raises questions about policy priorities.
The statistics reveal a province struggling with fundamental social challenges despite economic growth in certain sectors. With nearly one in three young children living in poverty and northern regions experiencing rates above 60 percent, the need for comprehensive, targeted interventions has never been more urgent.
Addressing this crisis will require more than economic indicators; it demands genuine commitment to social programs, poverty reduction strategies, and support for vulnerable families across Saskatchewan's diverse communities.
