Poverty Papers 1

Abstract

This report is the first in a series of poverty papers published by the Social Policy Research Unit (SPR), Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina. The purpose of the papers is to analyze an aspect of poverty in society and offer various perspectives for change. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the University of Regina. A central theme of this report is that economic recovery from the recessions of the early 1980s and 1990s, balanced budgets and debt reduction have not challenged poverty; an expanding economy and an emphasis on neo-liberal economics have in fact failed the poor and the working poor. As data becomes available, future reports will provide in-depth analyses of child poverty in Saskatchewan, further tables examining Saskatchewan poverty using both “persons in low income” and “economic families in low income” data measures, income inequality and First Nations poverty.