Can Canada afford NOT to reduce poverty? “Who’s gonna pay for all this?!” You are, Carl. In fact, you’re ALREADY paying. The better question is: Are you getting your money’s worth? Poverty isn’t free. Even if you’re not personally experiencing it, some of its consequences are already costing you money through taxes and public spending. Emergency shelters. Healthcare. Social services. And some of the costs associated with policing, courts, and corrections. But what if preventing certain crises costs less than responding to them after people’s lives have fallen apart? In this episode of Who Gets Left Behind? | Social Justice in Canada, we’re examining the economic costs of poverty in Canada—and challenging the idea that governments should operate like corporations. We’ll explore: * How poverty and financial insecurity can increase pressure on public services. * What Canada’s Housing First research tells us about preventing homelessness and reducing emergency service costs. * The relationship between poverty, health outcomes, and healthcare spending. * Why income supports and poverty prevention deserve to be evaluated as investments, not simply expenses. * Why human dignity shouldn’t depend on whether helping someone produces a financial return. Because here’s something worth remembering: A country isn’t a corporation. Its citizens aren’t shareholders. And its purpose isn’t to generate a profit. Of course governments should spend responsibly. But there’s a difference between spending money and wasting money. And there’s a difference between fiscal responsibility and refusing to invest in people’s well-being. Reducing poverty won’t eliminate every social problem. And not every poverty-reduction program will save more money than it costs. But shouldn’t we be asking what poverty is ALREADY costing Canadians before dismissing the cost of doing something about it? The economy is supposed to serve the people living in it. Not the other way around. So what do you think? Should Canada invest more in preventing poverty rather than continually paying to manage its consequences? Let’s discuss it in the comments. #poverty #socialjustice #incomeinequality #costofliving - @author_matthewflagler