Income gap narrowed in Kootenays in 2020, data reveals

Low income data from 2020 shows a decrease in the percentage of people with low income compared to previous years, according to a report from Selkirk Innovates.

Statistics Canada says the reduction in persons with low income during the five years between 2015 and 2020 “was the largest decline of any five-year period since 1976.” Selkirk Innovates says the decrease is partly attributed to government benefits distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Taxfiler data, people with low income in B.C. decreased from 19.3 per cent in 2015 to 13.2 per cent in 2020. However, the decrease was greatest between 2019 and 2020, coinciding with the pandemic and pandemic-related government benefits.

A similar decrease occurred across all Columbia Basin-Boundary regional districts during these same periods, as seen in the graph below.

Low income measure data are derived by comparing a person’s income to the national low income measure threshold for their family size. A person below this threshold is considered low income. According to Statistics Canada, for the rate to fall, as seen in 2020, “the income gap between lower-income people and other people has to narrow.”

Due in part to the conclusion of emergency government transfers over the last two years, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020 and Canada Recovery Benefit in 2021, the decreasing trend in people with low income is not expected to continue.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

RCMP vehicle sparks wildfire north of Lytton

A wildfire burning near Lytton grew to over 1.5 square kilometres Thursday and has been declared a wildfire of note by the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Climate advocate joins B.C. Greens leadership race

The B.C. Greens have added 24-year-old climate advocate Emily Lowan from Victoria to the slate of candidates in the party's leadership race.

Residents can leave feedback on CleanBC initiative using survey

The B.C. government wants your thoughts on its plan to lower emissions by filling in a survey.

West Kootenay under drought level three

Drought conditions in most of the West Kootenay region are at drought level three.  

Report on B.C. event safety submitted to B.C. government

A public inquiry about community event safety has been submitted to the B.C. Government.
- Advertisement -