Inequality

Hennessy's Index: A number is never just a number

Hennessy's Index

Hennessy's Index is a monthly listing of numbers, written by the CCPA's Trish Hennessy, about Canada and its place in the world. Scroll down for a PDF version.  For other months, visit: http://policyalternatives.ca/index

  • $6.6 million

    The average compensation of Canada’s best-paid 100 CEOs in 2009. (Source)

  • $42,988

    The average wage for Canadians working full-time, year-round. (Source)
  • 155 times

    How much the best-paid 100 CEOs earn more than average wage. (Source)

  • 0

    The number of women among the best-paid 100 CEOs in Canada in 2009. (Source)

  • 20th

    Canada ranks 20th, behind the U.S., in a global ranking of women’s equality. (Source)

  • Canada’s richest 1%

    Doubled their income share between the late-1970s and 2007. (Source)
  • Canada’s richest 0.01%

    Quintupled their share of income during that same period. (Source)

  • Shrinking middle

    The share of income for the bottom 80% of Canadian families with children is smaller today than it was a generation ago. (Source)

  • Teetering

    6 out of 10 Canadians could be in trouble if their paycheque gets delayed. (Source)

  • Debt nation

    Canadian consumer debt to financial assets ratio worst of 20 OECD nations. (Source)

  • $1.41 trillion

    Canadian household debt. (Source)

  • 17th

    Canada ranks 17 out of 24 OECD nations on children’s material well-being. (Source)

  • 1 in 10

    Canadian children live in poverty. 1 in 4 Aboriginal children live in poverty. (Source)

  • A solution

    Shifting 1% of Canadians’ collective after-tax income to the 1 in 10 Canadians living in low income would eliminate poverty in Canada. (Source)

Author(s): 
February 1, 2011
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