The price of feeding a household of 4 elevated $48 a month in Ottawa this 12 months, in response to a brand new report.
Now, Ottawa Public Well being says the rising price of meals is leaving many low-income households with “little to no money” on the finish of the month to pay for requirements.
The well being unit’s 2024 Nutritious Meals Basket Survey reveals the month-to-month price of wholesome consuming for a household of 4 is $1,244 in 2024, up from $1,196 in 2023 and $1,129 in 2022 (The 2022 and 2023 costs are attributable to elevated power/caloric necessities for sure inhabitants teams).
The survey measures the price of fundamental consuming that aligns with present diet suggestions from Canada’s meals information and typical meals buying patterns.
“Results consistently show that individuals and households with incomes from low wage employment and social assistance supports cannot afford the basic cost of living, including nutritious food,” the report for the Nov. 4 Ottawa Board of Well being assembly says.
“Many low-income households have little to no money remaining at the end of the month for necessities like childcare, transportation, medication, clothing, or dental care, after covering their rent and food expenses.”
The workers say a household of 4, receiving earnings from Ontario Works and at present dwelling in a three-bedroom rental unit, would have a virtually $230 deficit every month after paying for lease and meals. Meals accounts for 43 per cent of the entire earnings for a household of 4 on Ontario Works.
As compared, a household of 4 with one full-time minimal wage earner would have $1,369 left after paying for meals and lease for fundamental wants. The well being unit says a household of 4 with two median earnings earners would have $6,547 left over after paying for lease and meals to cowl fundamental wants.
The report, submitted by medical officer of well being Dr. Vera Etches, says meals applications are “not the solution” to addressing meals insecurity for households.
“To effectively reduce household food insecurity, it is essential to implement new policies or improve and/or expand on existing ones to increase incomes of low-income households,” Dr. Etches writes.
The well being unit proposes a number of insurance policies, together with:
A fundamental earnings for working-age adults. “A Basic Income Guarantee can address poverty and income security,” the report says.
Jobs with dwelling wages and advantages. The report notes Ontario’s minimal wage is $17.20 per hour, “significantly below” the dwelling wage of $21.95 per hour
Increase social help charges to replicate price of dwelling. The report notes there have been no adjustments to Ontario Works charges since 2018.
The Ottawa Public Well being report reveals a single dad or mum on Ontario works with two kids over six spends $925 a month on meals, and has $51 left over after paying for meals and a two-bedroom condominium. A single particular person on Ontario works will spend $435 a month on meals, and is in debt $727 a month to cowl fundamental wants after paying for meals and renting a bachelor condominium.
