poverty in canada remains a prevalent issue within some segments of society. the most frequently quoted measure, the low-income cut off or lico, displays a downward trend since 2000 after a spike in the mid-1990s and was 10.8% as of 2005. another measure, published by the free market think tank fraser institute, displays a constant downward trend since 1970 and stood at 4.9% as of 2004. there is a debate about which measure is more valid.