Poverty and one's own fault

In Canada, you often encounter people who are truly poor. There are many homeless people, beggars, and vagrants, especially in the big cities.

Poverty in Canada is also evident in the housing stock, which in some places is starting to resemble slums. This isn't limited to the big cities; you can also find appalling cases of poverty in the villages.

A striking phenomenon in Canada is that many people not only react nonchalantly to it, but also look down on "those kinds of people." Many believe it's simply their own fault. They should have worked harder.

Social assistance level

Definition of poverty

There's no real definition of poverty in Canada. There is an official poverty line, but if you're below it, you have very few rights.

Assistance for the homeless and vagrants is minimal and depends heavily on your location, but it's never more than a pittance. This is because they don't have a fixed address.

There is no rent subsidy here.

Addicts

From one problem to another

Psychiatric clinics have been closed for decades. You get a pill.

If the situation does get out of hand, there is hardly any shelter.

Addiction and all sorts of other abuses lurk. Heavy narcotics claim thousands of victims every year.

Charity

That too is often more than sad

Fortunately, there are quite a few "food banks" in Canada. These have become much busier in recent years.

There are also soup kitchens and other institutions based on charity.

Especially in large cities, it's a very sad sight to see the enormous crowds at these distribution points. Police are often required to be present.