A recent report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is shedding light on Saskatchewan’s child poverty situation. 

As illuminated by the Saskatchewan NDP Tuesday morning, the province’s child poverty rate is 27.1 per cent as of 2023, which is well above the national average of 18.3 per cent and the highest child poverty rate of all the provinces. The report reads that only Nunavut has a higher child poverty rate than Saskatchewan, sitting at 31.5 per cent.

Children under six are faring even worse, with a 30.39 percent poverty rate, nearly one-third of children in the province of Saskatchewan. 

Education Critic Matt Love calls on the government to get Saskatchewan out of last place and implement some of the report’s recommendations, such as rent control, a Saskatchewan child benefit, and increasing the minimum wage.  

“If they’re not willing to implement those ideas that we’ve been calling for, then they’re satisfied being last in the country, having 70,000 children in Saskatchewan living in poverty.”

The report also indicates that child poverty is worst in Saskatchewan’s northernmost region, followed closely behind by Prince Albert.  

The NDP shared the floor with Chris Moyah, a father of two struggling with the cost of living. 

“The Sask. Party, they say, ‘Strong economy, bright future.’ How can we have that if we’re the second highest in the country for child poverty?”

Moyah says between extracurricular activities, clothing, food, and diapers, he’s finding it hard to provide for his children.

Leading up to budget day and a new legislative session, the NDP is also drawing attention to the government’s fiscal track record. The Opposition says what started last year as a $12 million surplus quickly ballooned to a $427 million deficit at mid-year, and “the deficit is now likely over one billion dollars.”