Advocates say government support programs let too many people fall through the cracks. Natalie Appleyard, a policy analyst at the advocacy group CPJ, said one key problem is that government support programs, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, leave too many people out.
“Our system works well for the people it was designed for, but it’s not doing anything to improve the conditions for people who were already marginalized,” said Appleyard.
“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen how things like the CERB have really helped people weather this storm, but the fact remains that many people who are most marginalized by our systems weren’t even eligible.”