Since the publication of Poverty in Canada in 1992 there has been a renewed debate about the definition and measurement of poverty in this country. It is understandable that some of the discussion has been heated and emotional as this is an important policy issue and there are widely differing perspectives about poverty. Researchers and policy makers are now giving considerable thought and discussion to what appeared to be a settled issue a decade ago. The debate, the controversy, and the rethinking of concepts and positions is a healthy and necessary activity in an open society.