New Study Shows Canada Child Benefit Provides Additional Benefit for Food Security

A new study in the Journal of Preventive Medicine from the University of Toronto finds that, since the introduction of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), there is a 1/3 reduction in severe food insecurity for low-income families.

The researchers, Erika M. Brown and Valerie Tarasuk, looked at households with children, following the CCB roll-out. They also looked at the Canadian Community Health Survey for three samples, households reporting any income, households reporting the median income or less, and households reporting the low-income measure or less. Food insecurity was linked to economic vulnerability and was higher among families with children. Positively, these groups experienced the greatest drops in the likelihood to experience food insecurity after the introduction of the CCB.

This study reinforces some important policy lessons:

• CCB has supported a 1/3 reduction in severe food insecurity for low-income families
• Modest changes to income can impact food security
• If Individuals with low-income receive more money, they spend it on basic necessities like food
• Income transfers help people meet their basic needs

CCB's impact on food security is important because food insecurity increases healthcare costs. It is also linked to developmental impairment, mental health conditions, and physical problems.

Learn More:

• University of Toronto Article
• Money Speaks: Reduction in Severe Food Insecurity follow the CCB
• Food Insecurity and Health Care Costs

More from Tamarack:

• From Band-Aids to Bridges: Transforming Approaches to Good Food
• Food Security – Reacting to Symptoms or Addressing the Underlying Causes?