The Hidden Crisis of Canada's Struggling Families


Canada prides itself on being a nation that cares for its citizens, offering a safety net for those who follow the rules and contribute to society. But recent experiences show that this safety net is riddled with holes, leaving some of the most vulnerable Canadians—mothers and newborns—dangling precariously.  

I recently encountered a young mother in a mall, her 10-day-old baby crying in her arms. When I stopped to ask if she was okay, she explained that she had run out of money. Despite doing everything right—working, paying taxes, applying for Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)—she had been informed that her EI payments wouldn’t start until January 20 and her CCB wouldn’t arrive until January 29. Meanwhile, her baby needed food now.  There was not any delay when it was time to collect taxes from her. 

This mother’s plight is emblematic of a broader issue in our country: a government system so bloated with inefficiency that even those who follow the rules cannot access help when they need it most. How can we justify delays of two months for EI and CCB payments, lifelines meant to support Canadians in their time of need?  Someone said one case was not enough to label government officials incompetent. 

This isn’t just an isolated issue; it’s systemic. Over the years, the federal workforce has ballooned to about nearly 100,000 employees. Many are still working remotely, yet critical services like EI remain plagued by delays. Compare this to the swift accommodations provided for asylum seekers, who often receive housing, benefits, and support in a matter of days. While helping refugees is commendable, it is unacceptable that Canadian citizens, who have paid into the system for years, are left struggling to feed their children.  The perceived incompetence in processing EI and CCB benefits does not happen with asylum and refugee claims. 

It is stories like this that fuel public frustration. People aren’t angry without reason; they are angry because they see a system that fails to prioritize its own citizens. When a mother can’t buy food for her baby, a Canadian citizen, due to bureaucratic delays, while other groups receive expedited support, it sends a message: your struggles are secondary.  

The federal government must do better. First, it needs to streamline EI and CCB processes so that Canadians in need can access their benefits within days, not months. Second, there must be accountability for inefficiency. A bloated public service should mean improved service delivery, not worsening delays.  

Finally, policymakers need to remember who they serve: Canadians who work, pay taxes, and trust the government to be there in times of crisis. Ensuring timely access to benefits isn’t just a bureaucratic issue—it’s a moral imperative.  

Canada cannot continue to ignore the struggles of its own citizens while touting its generosity abroad. If we are to remain a compassionate and fair society, we must fix these glaring inequities and ensure that no mother is left crying in a mall, wondering how she will feed her child.  

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