Wealth is not about hard work but advantages say Canadians

Wealth inequality is a concern for people and governments and Canadians believe it’s getting worse.

A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute published Wednesday found that Canadians believe that poverty in their communities is increasing and 82% say that the gap between the rich and everyone else is “unacceptable”.

Almost three quarters of respondents say that it is becoming harder to maintain a middle-class standard of living in their community.

Around two thirds feel that the federal government is not doing enough to address poverty and a similar share say that of their provincial government.

Why are the rich rich and the poor poor?
Asked about those who are poor, 72% of people say it is down to circumstances beyond their control rather than a lack of effort.

Conversely, 65% say that wealthy people are wealthy because they have had more advantages, not because they have worked harder than other people.

When asked whether more public support for the poor or more emphasis on a system that rewards hard work, there is a clear split between the haves and the have nots.

Those who are ‘struggling’ or ‘on the edge’ strongly believe in more help for the poor, those who are ‘recently comfortable’ are split 50/50, and those who are ‘always comfortable’ favour hard-work rewards.

Consensus on what’s acceptable
Overall, the survey reveals that most people believe that not being able afford medicines, having to miss meals, and eat poor quality food, is unacceptable.

Less than a quarter of respondents believe it’s unacceptable not to have enough money for occasional outings such as movies.