Household Food Insecurity in Canada 2011

Household food insecurity, inadequate or insecure access to food because of financial constraints, is a significant social and public health problem in Canada. In 2011, 1.6 million Canadian households, or slightly more than 12%, experienced some level of food insecurity. This amounts to nearly one in eight households, and 3.9 million individuals in Canada, including 1.1 million children. There were 450,000 more Canadians living in households affected by food insecurity in 2011 than in 2008. 

The increased prevalence nationally, the alarming rates in the North and the Maritimes, and the sheer volume of affected households in our largest provinces suggest that reducing the prevalence of food insecurity requires attention and action by the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The data in this report provide an impetus for discussion that is critical to the development of programs and policies by all sectors aimed at tackling food insecurity in Canada.

 

Publication Date: 
2013
Location: 
Canada