They still are low income families because of low paid, temporary or part time jobs. The Tragedy and Disgrace of Poverty in Canada . Poverty is the failure of the individual. Unemployment, low-wage jobs, and cuts to social programs such as welfare and EI explain the high rate of poverty in Canada. The poor do not want to work.
Earned income is often the major source of income for poor people.
Poor people don't pay tax. Canadians at all income levels pay taxes. Working hard will prevent poverty. Poverty is often brought on unexpectantly because of loss of employment, the death or disability of a family breadwinner, family breakup, or increased costs because of a major illness or mishap in the lives of people. Welfare benefits have significantly eroded over the last decade.