Poverty is when a person does without basic resources such as food, clothing and shelter. It is also when a person has no friends, family or mentors to help in times of need.
What is poverty?
Poverty means going without basic needs—food, clothing, shelter. But it’s more than material deprivation. Poverty is also isolation. It’s when someone has no support system—no family, friends, or mentors—to rely on in hard times.
It’s when health conditions—physical, mental, or emotional—keep someone from going to school, accessing medical care, finding meaningful work, or engaging in community life.
Are there different types of poverty?
Yes. There are two key forms we often see:
- Situational poverty is caused by a sudden crisis—like job loss, illness, or natural disaster. It’s often temporary but still disruptive.
- Generational poverty happens when at least two generations of a family have lived in poverty. It’s deeply rooted and harder to break without systemic change.
Is poverty the same for everyone?
No. Poverty is not neutral. It’s shaped by history, policy, and power. In Canada, Indigenous Peoples live in poverty at higher rates due to colonialism and discriminatory laws that stripped them of land, culture, language, and livelihoods. That legacy continues today.
What is the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force doing about poverty?
We support Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy – Opportunity for All, which prioritizes:
- Lifting people out of poverty by making sure basic needs—housing, food, healthcare—are accessible and affordable.
- Breaking down barriers like racism, gender inequality, lack of childcare or transportation.
- Promoting dignity, participation, and equity for all.
We advocate for systemic change, not band-aid solutions. Because poverty isn’t about personal failure—it’s about policy failure
Food Insecurity
What is food insecurity, and how is it different from hunger?
Hunger is a physical feeling—something we all experience. But food insecurity is the lack of reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. It affects 17.5% of people in Grey and Bruce counties.
Food insecurity isn’t about food shortages. It’s about income insecurity and policy decisions that make healthy food out of reach for too many households.
What choices do food-insecure households face?
They often have to choose between:
- Paying rent or buying groceries
- Filling a prescription or feeding their children
- Heating their home or getting to work
These are impossible choices that no one should have to make.
What do we advocate for?
We support Everyone at the Table – Food Policy for Canada, and we push for:
- Affordable access to healthy food for all
- Community-based food initiatives that also strengthen health and the environment
- Indigenous food security and sovereignty
- Collaboration on reducing food waste and improving national food systems
- National School Food Program
Learn more about food insecurity, its impact on peoples’ health and how to find local food resources in this video – Food Insecurity in Grey Bruce (Jennifer Kingsland).
For the latest data on Community Food Programs go to: FoodBruceGrey.com
Why is housing a poverty issue?
Housing is a human right. Without safe, affordable housing, people can’t stay healthy, hold a job, or care for their families. We believe in a Housing First approach that combines housing with wraparound supports to create lasting stability.
We support A Place to Call Home – Canada’s National Housing Strategy, and call for:
- Building more affordable and supportive housing
- Addressing homelessness—especially for women and youth
- Creating rural Indigenous housing solutions
- Protecting existing rental housing from erosion and exploitation
What is health equity, and why does it matter?
Health equity means everyone gets what they need to be healthy, no matter who they are or where they live. Poverty makes people sicker. We need systems that meet people where they are—not one-size-fits-all solutions.
What does climate change have to do with poverty?
Climate change hits hardest in vulnerable communities. Climate justice means ensuring that climate solutions are fair, inclusive, and responsive to those most affected. Every policy—from housing to transit to food security—should be made through a climate and equity lens.
Read more here on our recent Calls for Action.
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