May 29, 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of Canada’s greatest maritime tragedy, the sinking of the Empress of Ireland near Rimouski, Que. Of the 1,477 passengers, only 465 survived. The Salvation Army lost more than 100 members, including its senior leadership and most of its national band. The tragedy has never been far from the  […]

According to CBC News, the enrolment of Aboriginal women in trade schools is on the rise. While this is positive, the women face significant barriers to entering the trades. One factor is childcare, because Aboriginal women have children at younger ages and another is that a lot of the native community doesn’t have drivers’ licenses.  […]

Based on surveys filled out by most of the approximately 600 residential shelter facilities in Canada, a Statistics Canada study found that on a given night, about 3,300 women across the country were sleeping in shelters to escape abuse. Shelters are more than a safe place to stay. They provide vital services and resources that  […]

Food insecurity is not as simple as being hungry. It’s more about fear of not having enough to eat and the tough reality that you might have to skip a meal. Food bank use is higher than before the recession. In fact, in 2013, nearly half of food banks in Canada reported an increase in  […]

In Nunavut, the largest, northernmost territory of Canada, 1 kg of frozen vegetables costs $7.99, a 5 kg bag of flour costs $19.99 and regular ground beef—$9.20 per kg. Food security and nutrition are serious problems in rural areas. Residents cite cost, quality, availability and lack of variety as major barriers to purchasing healthy foods.  […]

It’s spring cleaning time, an opportunity to take stock of what you have, get rid of things you don’t need and organize what is left. Rather than throwing your unwanted items in the trash, consider donating them to The Salvation Army. When you donate to The Salvation Army you not only give back to the  […]

There are many things that remind us of Easter—flowers, chocolate, baskets and new life. Every year, The Salvation Army in Canada gives 1.8 million people the opportunity for new life and positive change. It desires that every individual who comes for help knows they are deeply valued and that tomorrow can be different. In 400  […]

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the unexpected benefits of giving back to your community are numerous. Volunteering increases self-confidence: Doing something good for others gives you a sense of accomplishment and identity. Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy: Volunteering is especially beneficial to older adults and lessens  […]

April 2 marks World Autism Awareness Day, dedicated to addressing stigmas and educating the public about autism. According to Autism Speaks Canada, 1 in 88 children are affected by autism, with boys being four times more likely to develop the disorder. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual’s social abilities and behavioural  […]

Approximately three million Canadians, or one in 11 people, live in poverty. Here are five facts that may surprise you about poverty. 1.       Poverty hurts your ability to think. Poverty itself taxes the brain and reduces cognitive function by about 13 IQ points. 2.       Poverty and obesity go together. Obesity is a problem often associated  […]