About one in 10 Canadians say they have worried in the past year about not being able to afford enough food, while some reported times they “did not eat” despite feeling hungry, according to a survey from the Privy Council Office (PCO).
The PCO commissioned market research firm Leger for a survey of 2,000 adults to “maintain a real-time understanding of Canadians’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour relating to public health.” The survey was first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.
When asked if they had worried at any time over the past year whether they “would not have enough food to eat” due to a lack of money or other resources, 8 percent of the respondents said they did have that concern. Another 5 percent said they “were hungry but did not eat.”
“Findings from the current analysis show certain groups are experiencing greater financial strain due to rising prices including those with lower incomes, younger adults, households with children and persons with disability,” wrote analysts.
Respondents were asked to rank their social status on a scale of 1-10, with 1-4 being low, 4-6 medium, and 7-10 high. A significant majority self-identified as being in the medium to high social tiers: 32 percent consider themselves at the high end, and 39 percent viewed themselves in the middle tier.
Additionally, the PCO survey found that 10 percent of respondents were worried about being unable to “eat healthy and nutritious food,” and 3 percent were concerned that their households would run out of food. Another 3 percent said they had used a food bank in the past year.
