Study measures toll on social and criminal justice system
In recessionary times, government might be wise to consider investing in getting more Canadians to finish high school. According to a Simon Fraser University study, funded by the Canada Council on Learning, high school dropouts cost social assistance and criminal justice programs $1.3 billion per year. Using census data in its calculations, the study employed previous statistical models to come up with estimates. Each high school graduate would save about $4,230 in social assistance spending and $220 in criminal justice spending. According to the 2001 Census, there are 2,944,235 high school drop outs in Canada.