Employment, Wages, and Food Security
Is a Paycheque Enough to Keep Food on the Table?

A job is supposed to be the best defense against hunger. But for too many Canadians, a paycheque doesn’t always stretch to the end of the month—or even the end of the week. So how strong is the link between work, wages, and the basic right to eat well?

The Working Hungry

Food banks report that more and more of their clients have jobs—sometimes even full-time ones.

• Are wages keeping up with the cost of living?
• Do part-time and gig workers have the security they need to feed their families?
• How do unpredictable schedules and lack of benefits affect people’s ability to plan meals, buy healthy food, or even take a break for lunch?

Beyond the Pay Stub

It’s not just about how much you earn, but how far those dollars go.

• Rising costs for housing, transportation, and childcare leave less for groceries.
• In some regions—especially rural or remote communities—food prices are sky-high, and choices are limited.

Does “employment” still guarantee food security, or is the system broken?

Minimum Wage, Living Wage, and the “Shouldn’t Have to Choose” Test

Canada has minimum wage laws, but is “minimum” enough?

• Should there be a national standard for a living wage—one that reflects the real cost of a decent life?
• What’s the role of employers, governments, and workers in closing the gap?

Are current policies helping—or just putting a Band-Aid on a bigger wound?

Food Security: More Than Just Calories

It’s about dignity, health, and the ability to participate fully in society.

• How do workplace policies (like paid sick days or flexible hours) help or hurt food security?
• Should employers provide more support—or does that cross the line from business to social policy?

Let’s Talk About It

Is steady work still the key to food security? If not, what needs to change—wages, benefits, social supports, or all of the above?

Share your stories, your ideas, and your solutions. Because in a country as rich as Canada, “working and hungry” should never be the same sentence.