A nation in distress: The political economy of urban Aboriginal poverty

This thesis examines the economic outcomes for urban Aboriginal men and women in ten cities across Canada (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax). It finds that regardless of the city in which one lives, the Aboriginal population faces disproportionately high levels of poverty, unemployment, low median incomes and transfer payments from the government. It also finds that Aboriginal women and families are at greatest risk of socioeconomic stress. Given these findings, and an understanding of the cyclical nature of poverty within the Aboriginal population, it is argued that federal and provincial governments have consciously and unconsciously failed to recognize, reflect and understand the political and economic needs of the Aboriginal population. Future policies will need to go beyond traditional labour market solutions, recognizing that structural barriers have placed the urban Aboriginal population in a situation of great disadvantage.