Gap between Rich and Poor becomes wider

The gap between the rich and the poor is becoming more apparent.

According to a Statistics Canada report, the average income of the top 1 per cent is 10 times higher than the remaining 99 per cent of the nation.

The same can be observed in Quebec.

The Institut de recherche et d’informations socio-économique (IRIS) reported that the richest 1 per cent of Quebecers have seen their income rise by 59.3 per cent from 1982 to 2010.

On the other hand, average income for the poorest 50 per cent of Quebecers has increased by 16.6 per cent during the same period.

Simon Tremblay is a researcher with IRIS.

He told the McGill Daily that the share of federal and provincial tax paid by the richest one per cent fell to 21.2 per cent—a 2.1 per cent decrease from 2007.

Tremblay added that inequalities between the rich and the poor have been on the rise, and unless there are significant political changes, these inequalities will persist.

STORY WRITTEN BY: JENNA MONNEY-LUPERT