The Windsor area has about 1,000 fewer low-income residents

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The census metropolitan area of ​​Windsor is $ 2,080 behind the national median after-tax income, but the area has managed to lift approximately 1,000 families / individuals out of low income situations.

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The figures were part of Statistics Canada’s publication Thursday on median after-tax income for 2019.

“There is good news and some, but also some caution in these numbers,” said Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way Windsor-Essex.

“What will be interesting is the next set of numbers and the impact of the pandemic on those in difficulty.”

Leaving someone behind is not good for our community or our country

The Windsor CMA reduced the number of families / individuals in the low income category by 1.5 percent to 18.6. This was the sixth best improvement in Canada from 2014-2019.

On the national average, 16.5% of the population is classified as having low income.

Statistics Canada varies its low income classification according to family size and community. For Windsor, the threshold for a family of four was $ 35,017 and $ 18,520 for an individual.

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The median after-tax income in the Windsor CMA in 2019 was $ 52,710.

While this is only an increase of $ 410 from the baseline measurement point in 2014, the region saw a significant drop in revenue in 2015 to $ 49,380 before rebounding.

Windsor ranks 14^e on the 16 regions of Ontario in the report.

Ottawa tops the list provincially with $ 64,680, while

Calgary led the country with $ 66,180.

“This region really didn’t start to experience economic growth again after the recession (2008-09) until 2016,” said Justin Falconer, CEO of Workforce WindsorEssex.

“It might not seem like a lot of growth, but it’s a step in the right direction. “

Falconer also warned that the median stat measures income in the middle of the pack and doesn’t really show if there is progression from lower to higher salary brackets.

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“I think there’s a bit of age and demographic impacts on those numbers,” Falconer said.

“The retirees moved here and brought in their income, which will be lower than when they were working. You also have immigrant families with children moving to the area initially with lower incomes, but hopefully growing.

Goddard attributed the improved low income numbers to government programs like the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Workers Benefit and lower unemployment.

In 2014, the local unemployment rate was 9.4% and in 2019 it was 7.6.

“The federal government is paying attention to this issue,” Goddard said.

“This strong commitment benefits marginalized and racialized groups. People in these groups are more likely to be in low income groups and to be affected by housing issues and food costs. “

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Goddard added that the private sector is also paying more attention to poverty issues and the groups most affected by them.

With the first investments made in January as part of the ProsperUs campaign, which is specifically aimed at supporting low-income people with a career path, Goddard is excited to cut the numbers even further.

Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Rakesh Naidu has said he expects pay improvements to help this cause as the economy emerges from its COVID-19 hibernation.

Employers face difficulties in finding employees as many employees have turned to new careers, turned to education or are retiring and opening jobs.

“It was an unwritten rule not to poach employees, especially in the hospitality industry,” Naidu said. ” It changes.

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“People give that good waiter or chef an extra dollar or two an hour to get them moving. It will certainly drive up wages.

Naidu said some companies also offer transportation, free training, childcare services and cover tuition fees.

Windsor and District and Labor Council chairman Brian Hogan said Windsor’s numbers reflect the damage to the local economy caused by the crowding out of the manufacturing sector before 2016.

“Free trade and loss of auto factories, where are the manufacturing jobs?” Hogan said.

“We don’t have a 10 to 20 year manufacturing plan or a national auto policy like other countries do.”

Hogan was encouraged by the reduction in the number of people living in poverty and said it was imperative the community keep the momentum going.

“Leaving someone behind is not good for our community or our country,” Hogan said. “Income differentials weigh on services and the tax system.

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