The opening line of the Alberta Poverty Costs report is staggering. It says, “Poverty is experienced in 148,000 families in Alberta and by 73,000 children, 34,000 of whom are below the age of 6.” It describes how “Deteriorating health and mental health, decreasing trust among citizens, and increased spending on health and justice systems are all measurable outcomes of poverty and growing inequality.” The research in this report is solid and reveals truths that Albertans ignore at their peril. In a province that is so wealthy, homeless shelters, food banks and support systems for our most disadvantaged citizens are big business. This report details graphically the current situation and asks piercing questions such as, “Are we succumbing to the myth that poverty is about individual choices rather than the systems we create in our societies?” and the question being asked by many other provinces and those
who work at the national level, “How much does it cost to perpetuate poverty in Alberta?”