Food insecurity is worsening in Canada, according to a new national report, which warns that nearly one in four Canadians now face challenges accessing enough food.
The 2025 “Poverty Report Card” released by Food Banks Canada assigns the country an overall grade of “D.” Canada received failing marks for food insecurity and unemployment, while legislative progress earned a “C.” The findings rely on Statistics Canada’s Canadian Income Survey, conducted in 2023 and published this year.
The report shows a growing number of households struggling, with experiences ranging from anxiety over running out of groceries to skipping meals entirely.
Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley acknowledged that new federal programs, such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan and the upcoming National School Food Program, have the potential to ease pressure on low-income families. Still, she emphasized the need for stronger government support to reduce dependence on charities.
“While the federal government isn’t getting a grade you’d necessarily want to bring home to your parents with a ‘D,’ there has been some legislative progress that we are starting to see the effects of in our data,” Beardsley said ahead of the report’s release. “We want to ensure that momentum continues so that we can see grades improve over the coming years.”
The report also highlights concerns over employment, particularly among younger Canadians. Statistics Canada data shows the youth unemployment rate in March 2025 was one-third higher than in 2023. Beardsley argued that Employment Insurance (EI) has not adapted to modern job realities, especially as more workers rely on contract or gig work.
“It needs to be realistic for today’s workers and just needs a full look-through to make sure that a program built in the ’90s makes sense for the workforce of 2025, especially as we head into turbulent economic times,” she said.
Advocates say that without stronger federal support, rising poverty and food insecurity will continue to stretch the capacity of food banks nationwide. The report urges Ottawa to modernize employment programs, expand social benefits, and build on recent initiatives to improve long-term economic security.
