聽is a PhD student in Sociology at聽.
The Canadian government issued a in July, targeted at low-income Canadians. While the rebate provided some relief to people struggling with soaring inflation, to address the depth of poverty and intensity of food insecurity faced by the lowest income Canadians.
During the , mothers and infants living on welfare are experiencing food insecurity, which can have . Governments need to make policy changes to better serve mothers and their children.
Infant food insecurity
Food insecurity is defined as having 鈥�.鈥� Maternal food insecurity can result in many health-damaging effects, ranging from to . Infant food insecurity can result in long-term developmental impacts, including effects on .
Experts have outlined how . Food-insecure mothers might cease breastfeeding much sooner because they feel they have inadequate breastmilk supply. In addition, they might struggle to afford infant formula.
While food-insecure mothers initiate breastfeeding at the same rate as food-secure mothers, . Mothers who are undernourished themselves might perceive they have less than adequate milk supply and often stop breastfeeding for this reason, .
For low-income mothers, breastfeeding might seem to be the most cost-effective way of feeding their infants. However, other research shows that .
Problems with the welfare system
Approximately in most provinces and territories receive welfare benefits. The number is slightly lower in the Yukon and Alberta and significantly higher in Nunavut where it is just under 28 per cent.
While some provinces and territories provide more financial resources to pregnant women and mothers than others, incomes remain low and inadequate to achieve food security.
For example, Nova Scotia welfare recipients receive a total of during pregnancy and up to 12 months after birth. However, this is often not enough support for low-income mothers to adequately feed their infants.
and the
Allowances for pregnant women and mothers of infants receiving welfare are similarly low across Canada. These low rates create food insecurity for these vulnerable families and must be rectified via provincial, territorial and federal government policies.
Charity alone is not enough
Some might assume that charities and food banks will provide vital support for low-income families. A recent study found that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many community organizations .
While community organizations were critical in filling pandemic gaps, they alone cannot address the root cause of food insecurity: inadequate incomes. That problem continues, and the number of people relying on food banks has .
Additionally, many food banks are . The demand for food now far outstrips the donations most food banks receive. A sustainable solution to food insecurity is needed, particularly for pregnant women and mothers of infants.