I think the article confuses "austerity" with lack of social programs. Canada has a huge safety net compared to the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_pr

I think the article confuses "austerity" with lack of social programs. Canada has a huge safety net compared to the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_programs_in_Canada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_programs_in_Canada Essentially all the "warning conditions" that come out of austerity are also require a serious lack of safety net. Lack of savings, difficulty of childcare and healthcare, etc.