Poverty in Canada. Health, Medicine, Nursing Term Paper

Poverty in Canada
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Poverty in Canada
Introduction
Poverty refers to the inability of certain individuals in a society to afford basic amenities viewed as customary due to their inability to participate in economic physical and social activities. Consequently, such individuals become excluded from society and forced to live under poor conditions.
Individuals likely to experience poverty in Canada
Firstly, recent immigrants to Canada may likely face poverty at a point in their life due to significant differences in their income as compared to locals. This indicates that the level of wages increases for citizens while that of immigrants has proportionally declined over the years (Raphael, Who is Poor in Canada? 2011, p.79). Despite their educational status, immigrants face low incomes, thus creating situations where they cannot earn the same wages as their counterparts at the same level of work. This is the same case for Aboriginal Canadians who also face lower wages and less exposure to full-time employment opportunities (Raphael, Who is Poor in Canada? 2011, p.77). With lower average incomes for this community, more individuals face poverty since they cannot improve their living standards to compete with others earning more.
Apart from that, the exclusion of individuals from economic and social resources to enable them to participate adequately in activities likely to earn valuable income may likely force them into poverty. For instance, people of color have a higher likelihood of becoming poor due to racism that limits their participation in economic and social activities to improve their living standards (Raphael, Who is Poor in Canada? 2011, p.79). Therefore, the lack of adequate support from the society forms the basis for such individuals' failures since they cannot get adequate services to build their lives. In such cases, low wages, lack of employment and proper education form part of government responsibilities, hence such individuals may experience poverty. While some individuals may be employed, their income levels may be so low, making it challenging to cover their basic amenities.
Additionally, women also form part of individuals likely to experience poverty due to the paratracheal tendencies in Canada. Thus, women become exposed to fewer opportunities for employment, wealth, and power, hence condemning them to live in poverty. Their primary responsibility of child-rearing may not be recognized by society, limiting their ability to engage in economic activities (Raphael, Who is Poor in Canada? 2011, p.82). Therefore, women become less likely to receive benefits from their work due to such limitations while also receiving less social assistance, especially if they are sole providers.
Public policies encouraging increasing poverty levels in Canada
In Canada, the lack of adequate minimum wage and low social assistance benefits for individuals living in poverty brings about problems. The public policies in Canada provide lower social benefits, putting the vulnerable in worse positions since they cannot afford to access essential services such as proper housing or balanced food diets (Raphael, Who is Poor in Canada? 2011, p.83). More so, the minimum working...