Did you know poverty costs PEI $315 million per year?

The direct cost of poverty for the PEI government is an estimated 100 million dollars per year — 7.6% of the 2009/10 PEI government budget.  When the costs to government are added to the broader costs to the economy, the total cost of poverty for the province is $315 million dollars, which is equivalent to 7.6% of Prince Edward Island’s GDP. This corresponds to $2,700 per person, per year.

Researchers Christine Saulnier and Angella MacEwan explain these numbers in a new CCPA-NS report, Cost of Poverty in Prince Edward Island (2011). 

The report was presented in PEI late last year, covered by The Guardian on December 11th, here.

The authors' most recent visit to PEI was covered by The Gaurdian on January 29th, here.