Children living in low-income families: From 1990-1996 the largest increases in the number and proportion of low income Canadians occurred in Ontario (Statistics Canada, as cited in The Federal, Provincial and Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health, 1999). The percentage of low-income families in Ontario increased from 10.9% in 1991 (based on 1990 income levels) to 14.8% in 1996 (based on 1995 income levels). The proportion of Ontario children under 18 living in poor families rose from 15% in 1990 to 20% in 1996. Comparing children 0-9 years old with those 10-17 years old, the trend revealed higher rates of low income for young children (Statistics Canada data, as cited in the Report on the Health Status of the Residents of Ontario, 2000).
