The 2006 census indicated that 15% of Peel’s population, or 167,000 residents, were living below the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), an increase from 11.5% in 2001. Between 2000 and 2005, the percentage of Peel children age 0 to 5 living in low-income, rose from 14% to 20%, higher than both the national and provincial rates of 19%. According to the Region of Peel’s 2005 Strategic Review of Poverty in Peel, a large percentage of people living below the LICO are comprised of the most vulnerable population groups:

• Racialized communities
• Recent immigrants
• Single parents
• Unattached seniors, especially women
• Persons with disabilities
• Families with young children

This multi-stakeholder committee is comprised of representatives from various collaborative networks, staff and municipally elected offi cials, people with lived experience and poverty advocates. The Committee is co-chaired by the CEO of United Way of Peel Region and the Commissioner of Human Services at the Region of Peel.