BCTF Information Services—Research & Reports

Canadian Council on Social Development
Poverty Reduction Initiatives in Canada - Taking Action Together: CDPAC Third National Conference Poverty and Action in Canada
Ottawa: Westin Hotel, November 25, 2008

This 16-page presentation summarizes poverty reduction efforts in Canada and abroad, poverty trends (including a widening income gap), action on poverty within health sectors, and what is necessary for advocates in moving forward with the goal of reducing poverty.

Tim Richards, Marcy Cohen, Seth Klein and Deborah Littman
Working for a Living Wage: Making Paid Work Meet Basic Family Needs in Vancouver and Victoria - Summary
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Sept. 2008, 8 pages

CCPA calls on major public and private sector employers to pay a living wage that would allow low-income families to afford the basic necessities. The authors calculate that each parent would need to work full-time at an hourly wage of $16.74 in Metro Vancouver in order to pay for necessities and participate in the social and civil life of their communities.

Donna St. George
Study Links Violent Video Games, Hostility
Washington Post, November 3, 2008

Published in the journal Pediatrics, the research covers 3 longitudinal studies from the U.S. and Japan, examining the video game content, how often the games were played and what types of behaviours occurred later in the school year.

The study from the U.S. involved 364 children ages 9 to 12 and was documented in a 2007 book, "Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents."

Psychology professor and head researcher Craig A. Anderson said, "We now have conclusive evidence that playing violent video games has harmful effects on children and adolescents."

Statistics Canada
Aboriginal Children's Survey, 2006: Family, Community and Child Care
October 2008; 51 pages
(View Summary only)

A report on Aboriginal child health and social development focusing on Inuit, Metis and off-reserve First Nations children under the age of 6.

OECD. Growing Unequal? Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries. October 2008. (Summary)
Country Note: Canada (2 pages just on Canada)
Note: Full-text is 310 pages and is not freely available online

OECD states that the gap between rich and poor has grown in more than three-quarters of OECD countries over the past two decades. Low skill levels and lack of education are driving income inequality. While those around retirement age have seen an increase in income over the last 20 years, child poverty has increased to the point that children and young adults are now 25% more likely to be poor than the population as a whole.

Canada's level of inequality has been widening and is now above the OECD average. It was noted that Germany was the only other country showing such a widening inequality in household earnings. Furthermore, Canada spends less than other OECD countries on unemployment and family benefits resulting in less distribution of wealth.

Canadian Teachers' Federation
Federal Party Leaders: Our Questions, Their Replies
September 25, 2008; 22 pages

CTF asks federal party leaders where they stand on issues related to child poverty; environment; technology; tax deductions for professional expenses; early childhood education and care; minority children; healthy schools; domestic violence; copyright and international trade agreements; and Canada's overseas assistance.

Reading the Future
Canadian Council on Learning, June 2008; 83 pages

This report shows that the number of adults with low literacy skills is growing across the country.  By 2031, the number is forecast to increase by more than three million to 15 million.  The study offers new demographic knowledge, practical data, detailed analysis and key elements of a toolkit (PALMM) to help Canadians improve adult literacy levels (Projections of Adult Literacy - Measuring Movement). 

A View Inside Primary Schools: A World Education Indicators (WEI) Cross National Study
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2008; 294 pages

A new UIS study highlights the strong effect of social inequality on primary education systems in many countries and the challenge to provide all children with equal learning opportunities.  It presents the results of a unique survey undertaken in 11 countries in Latin America, Asia and North Africa and examines the factors shaping the quality and equality of primary education. 

Canada's Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Active Healthy Kids Canada, 2008; 76 pages

This is the 4th annual overview of key indicators in relation to the physical activity levels of Canada’s young people. This year the focus is on screen time and physical activity. The overall grade of D on the Report Card has been consistent from 2005-2008. 

A related Statistics Canada study outlines kids' declining participation in sports (Canadian Social Trends, June 3, 2008).

The 2008 Composite Learning Index: Measuring Canada's Progress in Lifelong Learning
Canadian Council on Learning, 2008; 49 pages

2008 results for the Composite Learning Index (CLI), an annual measure of Canada’s progress in lifelong learning, show a slight improvement from last year. Based on statistical indicators that reflect the many ways Canadians learn, in school, at home, at work or within the community, the CLI provides numeric scores for 4,700 cities and communities across Canada.