<P> In addition to government transfers, there are number of other publicly funded services and social programs that benefit those with low - incomes like Medicare, Public education for grade school; subsidized post-secondary education, Subsidized housing, and Employment equity programs, which often target various groups of people who are deemed to be susceptible to having low - incomes . </P> <P> The WITB was introduced in 2007 to encourage low income people to enter the labour force, and to provide them with increased financial support . The WITB has been expanded considerably since its introduction . As of 2012, it is worth up to $970 for a single individual, $1762 for couples and single parent families . A person or couple must have at least $3,000 in employment income, and not be a student, to be eligible for WITB . Benefits increase, and then decrease, with income, and are completely clawed back at an income of $11,011 for singles, $15,205 for couples or single parents (in 2012). These credits are not taxed (see Income taxes in Canada #Income not taxed). </P> <P> Low - income Canadians are eligible for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (a federal benefit), and provincial child tax credits or benefits and Québec family allowances . For example, Ontario pays a benefit scheduled to grow to $180 per month by 2011 for a family earnings less than $20,000 with two children . These credits are not taxed (see Income taxes in Canada #Income not taxed). </P> <P> Under the Constitution of Canada, the responsibility for enacting and enforcing labour laws including minimum wages in Canada rests with the ten provinces, the three territories also having been granted this power by virtue of federal legislation . This means that each province and territory has its own minimum wage . The lowest general minimum wage currently in force is that of the Nova Scotia ($10.85 / hour), the highest is that of Ontario ($14.00 / hour). Some provinces allow lower wages to be paid to liquor servers and other tip earners, and / or to inexperienced employees </P>

What is considered the poverty line in canada