A new report from Community Development Halton (CDH) shows that poverty rates have increased across the region, with Milton seeing the biggest jump since the pandemic.
The January 2025 report, based on Statistics Canada tax data, says the rise is due to financial struggles from COVID-19 and the reduction of government income support programs, leaving many families facing new financial challenges.
Key Findings:
📌 Milton's poverty rate rose from 10.5% in 2020 to 15.1% in 2022 – the highest in Halton. More than 20,600 people in Milton now live in poverty, a 30% increase since 2018.
📌 Other cities also saw increases:
Oakville: 11.4% → 14.8%
Burlington: 7.6% → 9.9%
Georgetown/Acton: 9.4%
📌 In 2022, 78,400 people in Halton (12.8% of the population) lived in poverty.
Child & Senior Poverty on the Rise
🚸 Child poverty is increasing:
17,110 children in Halton lived in poverty in 2022 (22% more than in 2018).
Milton had the largest increase between 2021-2022, with 30% of its child population affected.
Oakville had the highest child poverty rate (14.4%), followed by Milton (13.8%), Burlington (10.5%), and Georgetown/Acton (8.1%).
👵 Senior poverty is also growing:
Oakville saw a 47% increase in seniors living in poverty (from 4,140 in 2018 to 6,080 in 2022).
Senior poverty rates in 2022:
Milton: 26%
Oakville: 17.1%
Georgetown/Acton: 12.1%
Burlington: 9.2%
Addressing the Issue
Even though Halton is one of Canada’s wealthiest regions, the report highlights growing income inequality and the increasing struggles of children, seniors, and single parents.
CDH is calling for better poverty reduction strategies, focusing on affordable housing, fair wages, and removing systemic barriers to help vulnerable residents.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article has been gathered from local news sources. Please refer to the provided references for verification. Click Here.
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