The direct cost of poverty for the PEI government is an estimated 100 million dollars per year — 7.6% of the 2009/10 PEI government budget. When the costs to government are added to the broader costs to the economy, the total cost of poverty for the province is $315 million dollars, which is equivalent to 7.6% of Prince Edward Island’s GDP. This corresponds to $2,700 per person, per year.
Researchers Christine Saulnier and Angella MacEwan explain these numbers in a new CCPA-NS report, Cost of Poverty in Prince Edward Island (2011) [2].
The report was presented in PEI late last year, covered by The Guardian on December 11th, here [3].
The authors' most recent visit to PEI was covered by The Gaurdian on January 29th, here [4].