Introduction
PROJECT
From 2021-2024, Campaign 2000, Citizens for Public Justice and Canada Without Poverty co-led a national community-based research project that engaged communities experiencing poverty to recommend indicators measuring progress towards eradicating poverty and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This project, Localizing Canada’s Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals,builds on Campaign 2000’s ongoing monitoring of government progress towards ending child and family poverty, aiming to address the limitations of the Canadian Indicator Framework for tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1: No Poverty.
Through the project, the research team held 17 community conversations with 227 people affected by poverty and intersecting forms of marginalization in every province and territory. The project website hosts summaries of each community conversation.
This local framework is based on the knowledge and experiences shared by participants in the Regina community conversation, co-hosted by Street Workers Advocacy Project on June 27, 2023.
FINDINGS
Measurement of progress towards poverty eradication in Canada should reflect the lived realities of people experiencing poverty. The indicators used in the Canadian Indicator Framework for measuring progress towards SDG 1: No Poverty are the Market Basket Measure (MBM) and the prevalence of asset resilience.[i] Campaign 2000 report cards and early research from this project highlighted the limitations of these two indicators to track progress towards SDG 1.[ii] [iii]
The project set out to address these gaps with an emphasis on localizing measures of poverty reduction and centring the knowledge and experience of lived experts. Local visions of communities free from poverty emerged. The frameworks drawn from this research reflect participants’ subjective, multidimensional experience of poverty, which is wide-ranging, affects every aspect of life, and differs place to place and community to community. The frameworks also reflect poverty as a violation of human rights resulting in short- and long- term physical, mental, spiritual, and social harm.
These findings highlight the importance of community-based, culturally relevant, localized measures and indicators for ending poverty and the need to urgently recognize and address the systemic intersecting power structures that create and deepen inequities and experiences of poverty.
In addition to the 17 local frameworks, the findings are illustrated in a National Community-Based Indicator Framework, intended to supplement the Canadian Indicator Framework. It outlines dimensions, measures, indicators, and data sources for poverty eradication (including recommendations and gaps, where no indicators exist) that reflect the knowledge and experiences of lived experts and community organizations across the country.
While the findings depict a broad range of expertise from across the country, they remain a snapshot of 227 people, in 17 places, at one moment in time, and further engagement and community-based research is required to continue to centre lived experts in the work of poverty eradication and achieving the 2030 Agenda.
UNDERSTANDING THE FRAMEWORK
The entire framework falls under Sustainable Development Goal 1: End Poverty in All its Forms Everywhere.
The framework is organized by 12 interdependent dimensions of communities with no poverty. These dimensions are interconnected and non-hierarchical – all connect and contribute to the multifaceted way that people experience poverty in Canada. Many of the indicators could fall under multiple dimensions, but for the sake of length, they are each only shown under one.
Dimensions:
- Social inclusion and community connection
- Equality, justice, and freedom
- Joy, happiness, and hope for the future
- Income and material security
- Decent work
- Education for all
- Right to housing is realized
- Food security and sovereignty
- Health and mental health
- Equitable access to services, programs, and supports
- Connected and supported families and children
- Accountable and engaged governments and institutions
In each dimension, measures refer to qualities of communities with no poverty.
Indicators are statistical definitions of the measures.
As living documents, the local frameworks offer Example Indicators and Data Sources. The local frameworks are intended to complement the National Framework, highlight local priorities, and demonstrate opportunities for continued work in localizing measurement towards ending poverty in Canada. They are accompanied by living action recommendation documents.
Social inclusion and community connection
Community members feel valued and connected, have opportunities to participate in society and culture, care for and support each other, and live in harmony.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Having a sense of belonging | Example: Percentage of people with strong or very strong sense of belonging to community | Statistics Canada Canadian Social Survey |
| Communities are strong and connected | ||
| Neighbours support and care for each other | ||
| People have strong friendships | Example: Average amount of daily time with friends | Saskatchewan Index of Well-being |
| Communities have gatherings and share meals | ||
| First Nations people have a sense of cultural belonging | ||
| First Nations people have a space to gather and share knowledge | ||
| Community members support each other with food in hard times | ||
| People help each other | ||
| Being able to give back to others | ||
| People value each others’ knowledge | ||
| Having a sense of identity | ||
| Being able to talk to others about what’s going on in your life | ||
| Feeling safe | ||
| Children can participate in play and activities |
Equality, justice, and freedom
Everyone’s human rights are upheld. Communities are free from systemic inequality and injustice, discrimination, oppression, violence, and trauma, and the harms of colonization.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Everyone is equal | ||
| Freedom from marginalization | ||
| Freedom from racism | ||
| Freedom from the harms of residential school | ||
| Freedom from the harms of colonization | ||
| Freedom from stereotyping | ||
| Freedom from judgment and discrimination | ||
| Freedom from drug trafficking | ||
| Freedom from racism and discrimination against Indigenous people | ||
| Freedom from domestic violence | ||
| Freedom from violence against women | ||
| Freedom from incarceration | ||
| No gun or gang violence | ||
| Crime rates are low | ||
| Freedom from housing discrimination | ||
| People in gangs have access to recovery and transition supports to exit gangs | ||
| Meaningful progress towards reconciliation |
Joy, happiness and hope for the future
Everyone is able to be happy, feel ease, and have the time and freedom to enjoy life. People have hope, can imagine the future, and don’t feel trapped in cycles of poverty and isolation.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Having hope for the future | ||
| Not wanting to give up | ||
| Knowing you are valued and have a place to go | ||
| Being able to have the life you want | ||
| Not having any problems | ||
| Freedom from shame | ||
| People are kind to each other | ||
| People smile at each other | ||
| Having hope for recovery |
Income and material security
Incomes reflect the cost of living. People have the ability to pay all their bills, meet all their basic needs, have some flexibility to not live paycheque to paycheque, and are able to thrive.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Everyone can meet their basic needs | Example: Census Family Low Income Measure | Statistics Canada T1 Family File |
| Freedom from spending every day just trying to survive | ||
| Survival is not tied to work | ||
| Everyone can pay all their bills | ||
| Incomes reflect the cost of living | ||
| Being able to have one income meet the cost of living | ||
| Social assistance rates reflect the cost of living | ||
| Minimum wage is a living wage | ||
| Couples can separate without financial repercussions | ||
| Having disposable income |
Decent work
People can work in jobs with a living wage, safe work conditions, opportunities for growth, and job training. Work is fulfilling and allows people to use their skills.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Equitable access to employment opportunities | ||
| First Nations people have equitable access to employment opportunities | ||
| Employers are supportive and understanding |
Education for all
Everyone has equitable access to affordable, quality education, training, and learning supports.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Children are educated |
Right to housing is realized
Everyone has a home. There is adequate, affordable secure housing for all, free from discrimination, and reflecting the needs of communities and neighbourhoods.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Everyone has a home | ||
| Housing is safe, clean and in good repair | ||
| Freedom from housing discrimination | ||
| Freedom from racism in housing market | ||
| Freedom from housing discrimination for people receiving social assistance | ||
| Freedom from arbitrary barriers to housing, such as criminal record checks or credit checks | ||
| Couples can separate and move out from their shared housing without financial repercussions | ||
| First Nations offer low-income housing for urban members | ||
| First Nations reserves have housing for all members | ||
| First Nations housing is low-barrier and easy to apply for | ||
| No vacant or damaged properties | ||
| Vacant buildings are used as shelters or low-income housing | ||
| Landlords face accountability for empty properties | ||
| Freedom from exploitative landlords | ||
| People exiting incarceration have access to transitional housing | ||
| People exiting substance use treatment have access to transitional housing | ||
| Everyone has access to emergency shelters when they need them | ||
| Shelters have no waitlists | ||
| Women and children fleeing domestic violence have access to shelters without delay |
Food sovereignty and security
Everyone has access to nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate food; the ability to hunt, harvest, grow, and share food according to cultural values; and the freedom to choose what they want to eat.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Everyone has enough food | ||
| Everyone has access to fresh fruit and vegetables |
Health and mental health
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Everyone is mentally healthy | ||
| Health care is preventative, including for drug use and mental health | ||
| Everyone has access to affordable, timely mental health care | ||
| Ambulances come when you call them | ||
| Freedom from suicide | ||
| Freedom from overdose or toxic drug deaths | ||
| Freedom from fear of overdose or toxic drug death | ||
| Everyone has access to harm reduction supplies | ||
| People are trained in overdose prevention and have Narcan on hand | ||
| Having someone to talk to when you decide you want to quit drugs | ||
| Everyone has access to treatment and recovery programs for substance use or addiction | ||
| Streets and playgrounds are free from needles | ||
| Access to recovery or treatment support for drug or alcohol use is immediately accessible when you reach out for help |
Equitable access to services, programs, and supports
Services and supports are accessible and coordinated, with no arbitrary bureaucratic barriers or discrimination. Community organizations are resourced and are by communities, for communities.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Community organizations are well-funded | ||
| Feeling like you have options to reach out to for services and supports | ||
| Service providers and community organizations are supportive, judgment-free, and have your back | ||
| People have good awareness of the resources in their community | ||
| Communication of services is accessible (e.g., flyers, not just online) | ||
| Services and supports are not restricted by time limits and eligibility restrictions | ||
| Services are coordinated and communicate between each other | ||
| Freedom from the frustration of cycles of inaccessible services | ||
| Having support with service navigation | ||
| First Nations have cultural organizations that bring people together to learn traditional and cultural skills | ||
| Everyone has barrier-free access to getting picture identification or replacement identification | ||
| People exiting detox treatment have access to transition support | ||
| People exiting incarceration have access to transition support | ||
| There is enough support for addiction and homelessness that emergency beds for each purpose can be used for their intended purpose | ||
| The social assistance program meets people’s needs and offers the option to pay landlords directly, if desired | ||
| The social assistance system works well and is low-barrier | ||
| Everyone has access to a food bank when needed | ||
| There are community fridges in every neighbourhood |
Connected and supported families and children
Families are supported to stay together and spend time together. The child welfare system is equitable, trauma-informed, and reflects needs of children and families. Everyone has access to affordable childcare.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Families are thriving, connected, and strong | ||
| Families are free from abuse | ||
| Parents and children love each other and show their love | ||
| Communities are safe for children | ||
| Children are happy | ||
| Parents have time to spend with their children | ||
| Everyone has access to affordable childcare | ||
| Parents supervise children | ||
| Youth ageing out of the child welfare system are supported with the transition (financially and logistically) |
Accountable and engaged governments and institutions
Governments are accountable to communities. Policy-making is community-engaged, trauma-informed, responsive, and based on local needs and values.
| Measure | Indicator | Data Source |
| Community knowledge and experience is valued | ||
| Politicians are accountable to the needs of the community |
[i] Statistics Canada. (2021). The Canadian Indicator Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals. Statistics Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-26-0004/112600042021001-eng.htm
[ii] Campaign 2000. Pandemic Lessons: Ending Child and Family Poverty is Possible. February 14, 2023. https://campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/English-Pandemic-Lessons_Ending-Child-and-Family-Poverty-is-Possible_2022-National-Report-Card-on-Child-and-Family-Poverty.pdf
[iii] Barrie, H., & Sarangi, L. (2022). Literature Review: Localizing Canada’s Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. Campaign 2000: End Child and Family Poverty. https://sdg.campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/Campaign-2000-Localizing-SDGs-Project-Literature-Review-May-2022.pdf