A new report by Food Banks Canada suggests that more Canadians may be living in poverty than previously estimated, with 25 per cent potentially falling into this category.

The new report applies Canadian data to a Material Deprivation Index (MDI), a poverty metric widely used in Europe, in order to measure the standard of living.

“A better understanding of poverty is critical if we are to accurately evaluate our progress, or lack of progress, in reducing material distress among households in Canada,” the report reads.