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SPCW is Hiring!!
JOB POSTING: Community Animator
We are a small and multi-faceted team in an organization with more than a century of working to better the lives of Winnipeggers through progressive and evidenced based community development. Our research and initiatives are geared towards empowering individuals and communities. Our vision is for a sustainable community that is just, equitable and caring.
Overall Function:
The community animator is responsible for providing comprehensive coordination, organizational support, research and policy analysis services to the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, partner agencies and community stakeholders.
Individual candidate combinations of experience, areas of expertise and education will be considered. A commitment to the mission, vision and values of the organization is essential.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Ø Provide strategic leadership and support to community organizations and coalitions to develop their capacity to advocate and promote social development
Ø Monitor, analyze and evaluate relevant social policies, programs, services and needs
Ø Prepared to interpret government policies and formulate alternatives
Ø Provide public communications support through social and traditional media platforms (i.e..: traditional opinion pieces as well as social media campaign contributions)
Ø Provide research, data analysis, training and project support to SPCW partner coalitions to ensure advocacy efforts are as successful as possible
Ø Contribute to SPCW publications, workshops, consultations and presentations
Ø Supervise students and interns in their placement at SPCW when needed
Ø Collaborate with colleagues locally and nationally on joint projects/campaigns
Ø Support other SPCW staff and volunteers on projects and programs as resources allow
Ø Plan and implement projects as assigned by the SPCW Executive Director
QUALIFICATIONS:
Ø Commitment to social justice (social equity, human rights with firm of the ongoing effect of colonization
Ø Proven ability to work on individual and group projects
Ø Strong facilitation and presentation skills
Ø Strong understanding of the social, economic and political environment of Winnipeg, as well as at the provincial and federal level, particularly on poverty related issues and root causes
Ø Familiarity with Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M) or similar an asset
Ø Some understanding of both the strength and weaknesses of some of the various levels of government and departments that contribute to the social safety network
Ø Post-secondary education in a related field (i.e.: human rights, social work, conflict resolution, sociology, political science etc.). NB: A degree may be preferred but a combination of education and life experience will be considered
Ø Experience in policy and research development
Ø Experience in the development and management of public advocacy campaigns including using various social media platforms an asset
Ø Experience working with a diversity of individuals and community organizations;
Ø Proven strong communication skills – verbal and written;
Ø Proven organizational skills and capabilities to manage multiple projects: and
Ø Familiar with and competent in using basic Microsoft software
Employment type: Permanent Full-Time.
Salary: $55,000 plus MERCs per annum. Benefit plan after 6 months
Vacation: Three weeks a year that expands with years of service
Sick Leave: 18 days a year to a maximum of 90 days.
Supervision: Executive director Kate Kehler
As a social justice organization, SPCW is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to be representative of the communities we serve. As such, candidates are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter if you are a member of a traditionally excluded community.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Kate Kehler at kkehler@spcw.mb.ca by January 20th, 2024. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
JOB POSTING: Office Manager
We are a small and multi-faceted team in an organization with more than a century of working to better the lives of Winnipeggers through progressive and evidenced based community development. Our research and initiatives are geared towards empowering individuals and communities. Our vision is for a sustainable community that is just, equitable and caring.
Overall function:
Senior management role with the primary responsibility of managing office administrative duties.
These will include some bookkeeping and finance work but with training and oversight by third
party organization. Maintenance of office documents, personnel records, contracts etc… Oversight and maintenance of the general day-to-day office operations (equipment and supply maintenance etc..).
Qualifications:
Individual candidate combinations of experience and education will be considered based on the current needs of the organization. A commitment to the mission, vision and values of the organization is essential.
Ø Accounting/financial management experience. Familiarity with Quickbooks an asset but training is available
Ø Office management expertise (ie.: procurement and ensuring maintenance of office equipment, office supplies etc)
Ø Highly organized and adaptable with the ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail
Ø Demonstrated history of self-motivation, accountability and professionalism
Ø Experience working or volunteering with cross-cultural teams and community members an asset
Ø Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Access and Publisher in order to assist colleagues an asset)
Ø Familiarity with website and social media management/maintenance an asset
Employment type: Permanent Full-Time. Limited flexibility in working from home or office.
Salary: $50,000 to $55,000, depending on qualifications, plus MERCs per annum. Benefit plan after 6 months
Vacation: Three weeks a year which expands over years of service
Health Days: 18 days a year to a maximum of 90 days.
Supervision: Executive director Kate Kehler
As a social justice organization, SPCW is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to be representative of the communities we serve. As such, candidates are encouraged to self-identify in your cover letter if you are a member of a traditionally excluded community.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Kate Kehler at kkehler@spcw.mb.ca by January 20th, 2025. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you!
Come Celebrate Our 105th Year!
As we celebrate our 105th year of working to make Winnipeg and Manitoba better for everyone, we dusted off and added to this document created for our 95th anniversary. We call it a brief history but… with a 105 years and quite a bit of growth over the last 10, it is rather on the long side!
We hope you will join us at our AGM on September 19th, 2024.
The Ukrainian Labour Temple at Pritchard and McGregor.
Refreshments available at 5pm
AGM Starts at 6PM
To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/spcw-annual-general-meeting-24-tickets-1008683378137
If you would like to become a member, please join here: https://spcw.mb.ca/get-involved/membership/
If you would like to donate, please do!: https://spcw.mb.ca/get-involved/donate/
A Brief History: Social Planning Council of Winnipeg 1919-2024
The origin of the Social Planning Council (SPCW) reflects the diverse and dynamic nature of Winnipeg itself during the last 105 years. The city’s transformation from a sleepy frontier town to a bustling commercial, industrial and transportation centre created an explosive population growth, that has led to the unique character of Winnipeg today.
In the early 1900s, Manitoba’s culture and economy was in rapid transition. British colonial commerce had taken over, further displacing Indigenous culture, largely focused on agricultural production. Winnipeg’s importance to Canada at that time drew thousands of immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds as industry and transportation became important economic features. However, with the diversity and innovation of European cultures also came the loss of traditional social structures and new demands of urbanization.
While there were some efforts at social welfare and recognizing labour rights, the city itself was controlled by a corporate elite, particularly those involved in real estate speculation, largely insensitive to the plight of the people. Prospects of developing a well-planned city were continually confounded by the demands placed on the city by the railways, whose economic and political muscle was unparalleled during the period. The combination of rapid population expansion, a wealthy elite (largely British backed), a politically conscious working class (largely European) and a rigid inexperienced civic government left the city with a veneer of prosperity covering a society precariously divided.
The churches and charities were prominent actors providing for the social needs of the working population. However, provincial policies and programs started in this era aimed at improving social conditions for the province’s citizens. Acts to establish a juvenile court, a dower act to protect widows and deserted women, a mother’s allowance act, and finally an act enfranchising women, were pioneering advancements due these years.
For example, a spirit of cooperation among labour, the provincial government, and the churches would lead to the founding of the Bureau of Social Research, with J.S. Woodsworth as its director in early 1916. But it was a short-lived experiment that would last less than a year and the bureau was closed. Its closure would presage a growing divide over the next few years between social activists and the city’s financial elite.
The diversity of groups were represented at a meeting on April 14, 1919, and duly noted in the Manitoba Tribune newspaper the next day, reflected the remarkable cohesion and foresight of seemingly disparate organizations and concerns. The Community Workers Club, Anti-Tuberculosis Society, Social Hygiene Association, Social Service Council, Women’s Civic League, Children’s Aid, Day Nursery, Mothers’ Association, Jewish Orphanage, Home for the Friendless, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, Home of Welcome, YWCA, and the Department of Neglected and Dependent Children were just a few of the social and benevolent agencies who agreed at that meeting to form the Central Council of Social Agencies, which became the SPCW of today.
A month later, intransigent city officials and industry owners blocked wage negotiations with the nascent labour organizations and the foundation was laid for the 1919 General Strike. 30,000 workers stopped work in a demand for union recognition and decent wages. However, it was the class divisions, social inequality and discrimination that fed the strike and made it a landmark in Canadian social history. While the strikers were violently suppressed and no immediate gains were recognized from the strike, it set in motion political and social change that has made Manitoba a leader in social programming and progressive social policy.
During the years since then, the Council has undergone significant organizational and mandate changes, as well as several name changes. Through it all the SPCW worked to be a lead organization in the field of social policy investigation, urban planning and social justice advocacy.
The people who volunteer or work for the organization have had a tremendous impact on issues as diverse as unemployment, affordable housing, fair taxation, homelessness, poverty, urban planning and racism.
The story of the Social Planning Council is primarily a story of the coordination and rationalization of civic resources in an effective manner to meet the needs of the community. Through volunteerism, legislation and governmental support, as well as the representations of numerous professional and independent organizations, the Social Planning Council serves as a vital and independent bridge between the various and often competing interests.
The organization has incubated numerous other organizations and agencies for example. While all are not still in operation, some are and these include:
- Community Chest (now the United Way)
- Indian and Métis Friendship Centre
- School of Social Work (University of Manitoba)
- The Volunteer Bureau (now Volunteer Manitoba)
- John Howard and Elizabeth Fry Societies
- Meals-on-Wheels
- Klinic Community Health Centre
- Home Help Program /Victorian Order of Nurses
- Logan Neighbourhood House Main Street Project Mount Carmel Clinic
- Age and Opportunity Centre
- North Pointe Douglas Women’s Centre
The organization has implemented numerous campaigns to focus public attention on poverty and poor housing and particularly the effects of poverty on children. Other advocacy includes a living wage, welfare reform, the elimination of racial discrimination and the rights of people with a disability.
The Council continues to be instrumental in examining and raising the fundamental questions on issues and trends that impact on the social condition of the community. It continues to monitor and report on social and economic dynamics that impact the lives of ordinary men, women and children, while looking for innovative solutions to keep pace with the demands on social policy and services. Part of the process includes compiling relevant and effective research and data to maintain the Council’s effective advocacy for social services.
The SPCW recognizes and acknowledges its limitations in instituting change to public social policy and conditions, but continues its responsibility in attempting to reflect the widest range of interests for the common good and to encourage public participation in the overall dynamics of change.
Over the years the Council has researched, prepared and released numerous reports, analysis and position papers that have contributed to increased public awareness, and knowledge while providing essential information that continues to serve the community in a broad and effective manner. In the 1970’s SPCW was a leading research organization, publishing major studies of local social conditions.
Around the turn of the 21st century, the organization took on assisting Indigenous leaders to address the over-representation of Indigenous Peoples in persistent poverty. Today there are well established organizations providing supports that are sensitive to the cultural and economic needs of Indigenous people. More recently the organization has played a community development role in supporting organic activism in Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods.
Throughout these efforts, SPCW’s approach to social planning assumes that coalescing and collaborating around common needs or concerns is the most effective way of representing and meeting the interests of the community. Collaboration is both the purpose and the means of social planning for SPCW, with a firm commitment to improving the quality of life for all in Winnipeg.
The Social Planning Council of Winnipeg has a history of which to be proud. It has been instrumental in the formation of many organizations that are part of the spine of the City’s social service agencies. It has been significant in creating and fostering collaborations that have led to many of the social benefits people now take for granted. It continues to define social awareness of many community issues.
In so many ways, SPCW has been central to the relationships that continue to work to make Winnipeg a sustainable community that is caring, just and equitable.
A Chronology of Significant SPCW Events and Achievements
1919 Central Council of Social Agencies formed, Community Chest created.
1930 Council operates Manitoba’s first School of Social Work.
1938 Central Council of Social Agencies changes name to Council of Social Agencies in Greater Winnipeg,
1943 Council helps establish Department of Social Work at the University of Manitoba,
1947 Central Volunteer Bureau established. Indian and Métis conferences become an annual event. Central Council of Social Agencies in Greater Winnipeg changes name to Welfare Council and helps create the John Howard and Elizabeth Fry Societies, Meals-On-Wheels, the Family Planning Association, and the Home Help Program of the Victorian Order of Nurses.
1950 77 member groups decide to change name from Council of Social Agencies in Greater Winnipeg to Welfare Council of Greater Winnipeg. Central Volunteer Bureau comes to prominence during 1950 Winnipeg flood crisis.
1952 Welfare Councils’ Health Division, Recreation Division and Child Welfare Division carry on general interpretation and coordinating role of the Council.
1955 Age and Opportunity report released (the first of its kind in Canada, and a pioneer research product in the field of geriatrics) which leads to the Age Centre being accepted into Community Chest and its later development as the Age and Opportunity Centre.
1958 Indian and Métis Friendship Centre organization created.
1959 Welfare Council’s “Letter” launched, designed to stimulate thinking and dialogue on social problems and issues facing the community.
1961 Council completes the first study conducted in North America on day care services.
1965 The Welfare Council is incorporated and becomes known as the Community Welfare Planning Council.
1969 Social Services Audit (started in 1969) Report released.
1970 Manitoba government creates an office of research and planning within the Department of Health and Social Development.
1971 The Council participates in redevelopment of Mount Carmel Clinic as a community health and social development centre.
1972 Main Street Project created. First comprehensive manual of Social Services of Manitoba released.
1973 Welfare Council’s name changed to Social Planning Council of Winnipeg,
1976 Children’s Rights Within the Child Welfare-Juvenile Corrections System Report released (this report developed background for Council programs aimed at improving services for children and families).
1977 Discussion starts at SPCW that leads to the first major ‘lunch and after school’ program for children in Winnipeg schools.
1978 Task Force on Maternal and Child Health created.
1979 Review of Winnipeg Housing Conditions completed and released to the public.
1980 Analysis of Social Problems, Needs and Trends for Winnipeg Report completed.
1983 Comprehensive study of living conditions of Manitoba’s “Registered Indian” population released.
1984 SPCW completes Child Care study for Manitoba Child Care Association. SPCW Executive Director is implementation manager for re-organization of Children’s Aid Society to community-based Child and Family Service.
1988 Census Data Consortium established to buy Statistics Canada data. Child Abuse Project, Children in Care Project, Homeless Children and Youth Project, Welcome Home Project, Manual of Social Services in Manitoba released, Winnipeg Census Data Insights and Trends: The Elderly and Aboriginal People, published.
1990 ‘Plan Winnipeg’ articles published. Tax assessment study completed, Heritage at the Crossroads Report.
1991 Community information kit; Hunger in Winnipeg released. Literacy An Overview report completed in conjunction with the 1990 United Nations International Year of Literacy. Invisible Changes: Winnipeg’s Next Decade report released, Needs Assessment on Homeless Children and Youth report released.
1992 A new SPCW publication launched: Child Poverty in Manitoba: An approach toward its elimination. A Safer Winnipeg for Women and Children, Winnipeg’s Next Decade: The Challenge of Social Equity, Issues of the Hour continues response to City’s Plan Winnipeg,
1994 Healthy Communities and SPCW sponsor a conference on Asset Based Planning with John McKnight, respected American academic and community development activist. Winnipeg Media Watch Initiated.
1995 Education in Multicultural Society report released, Multiculturalism/Anti-racism education study in Winnipeg School Division completed. The Rights Path booklet produced as a joint project between SPCW, Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres and Canadian Human Rights Commission .
1996 Aboriginal Persons With a Disability: Training and Employment Challenges report released. SPCW partners with Campaign 2000 and its release of the 1996 Child Poverty Report Card. Integrated Community Action to Health Action project commences. SPCW Public Awareness Committee develops comprehensive communications strategy.
1997 SPCW hosted a community forum on Rebuilding Communities, and the Acceptable Living Level Report is released. SPCW provides research support to Social Development Sub-Committee of North Main Street Task Force, participates in Center Plan Housing Forum, and is a lead organization in the community workshop Responding to the New Economy: Investing in Solutions that Work for Everyone along with Manitoba Federation of Labour, Winnipeg Labour Council, Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Winnipeg 200 (now Destination Winnipeg). SPCW presents submission on Employment Equity to City Council on behalf of 59 community groups.
1998 SPCW accepts the responsibility for the Inter-Agency Group. At City Council’s request, SPCW establishes the Task Force on Squeegee Issues. In the same year, conducted a report and,
- helped establish Powerhouse, Internship Program
- Child Poverty in Manitoba 1998 Report Card
- Barriers to A.L.L. (Acceptable Living Level)
- Achieving Employment Equity for Aboriginal People and Visible Minorities
- Aboriginal Business Incubator Research Project
- West-Elmwood Project started
- Presentation to the Minimum Wage Review Board
- Research Forum: Investing in the Well-being of Winnipeg Children.
1999 Acceptable Living Level (A.L.L.) Report Part II. Empowerment Project for Women starts.
2000 SPCW receives the University of Manitoba Social Justice Research Award. The Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth program coordinated. Aboriginal Business Incubator feasibility study conducted. Acceptable Living Level Report released. Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Conference Report, Child Poverty-Manitoba’s Problem Not a Special Interest Issue. The Campaign 2000 Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Card, addresses The Impact of the Corbiere Decision.
2001 Youth Engagement Study released. Well-Being in the Workplace Committee established, Youth Summit, Aboriginal Reference Group on Homelessness, and Poverty Barometers introduced, A Community Plan on Homelessness & Housing in Winnipeg, Findings of the Youth Encouragement Project: Youth Views on Community Partnerships published. Pamphlet: Child Poverty, Volunteer Committee for the Monitoring, Supervision and Regulation of the Sex Trade/Prostitution in Winnipeg: Final Report .
2002 Voluntary Sector Initiative – The Accord, Summer Institute on Population Health, North Point Douglas Women’s Centre established, responded to the Manitoba Premier’s first State of the Province Address and the State of the City Address by Mayor Glen Murray. Published Exploitation in the Sex Trade: What Can Communities and Agencies do Together? , and Strengthening the Social Union: The Social Framework Agreement Third Year Review.
2003 Winter Institute on Inclusion organized. Summer lobby campaign on Homelessness started. Community Plan Assessment, Environment Committee established. Assessment of the Community Plan on Homelessness and Housing in Winnipeg conducted. Youth Engagement: Empowering Youth to Identify and Address Youth Issues published. Connecting the New Deal to Social Development: Position Paper produced.
2004 Child Poverty Vigil organized. Proposal Fund Allocation Committee established. Environmental Exposed for Life Conference held. West Central Women’s Project completed. Just Income Coalition established. Governance Youth Secretariat, Manitoba Voluntary Sector Initiative with the Volunteer Centre, Food Security Project initiated. Symposium Group established. Poverty Barometer on summer learning loss released. Urban Reserves: Exploring Reality Discussion Paper published. Exposed for Life: Conference Report released. Public Opinion Poll on minimum wage conducted. Toward Food Security in Winnipeg, Think Tank: On the Impact of Poverty on Education, Modernizing Treaty Annuities: Implication and Consequences.
2005 Community Schools Investigators Summer Learning Enrichment Program established (CSI). Reports conducted ; Co-operative Opportunities in the Food Sector, Consideration on Food Security in Winnipeg: What the Numbers Show, Healthy Living for Manitoba’s Children and Youth: The Role of Food Security. Just Income Coalition: Low Wage Community Inquiry. Letter written to the Provincial and Territorial Premiers on the Meeting of the Council of the Federation on Improving the Life Chances for Children and Families. Living Wage Campaign starts. Creating a Manitoba Food Charter: A Province-wide Conversation on Food held. Provided Paid to be Poor: Low Wage Community Inquiry, Brief to the Standing Committee on Finance: Pre-Budget Consultation. Roundtable on Healthcare and the Environment: Summary Report published. Made a submission to Winnipeg City Council on the Proposed Amendments to the Obstruction Solicitation By-Law. Thought About Food? A Series of Occasional Papers published.
2006 SPC pens its Anti-Discrimination Policy. Researched and released Building Healthy Organizations: A Practical Approach for Manager and Workers released. Growing Opportunities, Shrinking Options: Implications in the Growth, Retention and Integration of Immigrants Locating in Winnipeg published.
2007 Release of the Poverty Barometer on Youth Aging Out of the Child Welfare System, and release of Is Work Working? Work Laws that do a Better Job: Discussion paper. Launch of the Raise the Rates campaign, with a petition, rally, and community representatives meet with political leaders.
2008 The Symposium Group evolves into the Make Poverty History Manitoba coalition, release of the Toward a Poverty Reduction Plan for Manitoba Discussion Document. Federal Election Forum on Urban Aboriginal Issues, Housing and Homelessness, and Youth Engagement Issues held.
2009 SPC collaborates with other organizations and the CCPA in a release of a View from Here: Manitobans Call for a Poverty Reduction Plan, re-release of the Poverty Barometer on immigration issues. Release of the Embracing the Complexities of Women’s Lives.
2011 Published ‘Social services and a vital Economy’ that showed how government spending on public services was not only good for the public, but contributed to the country’s economic productivity. Started to track the Provincial governments AllAboard Poverty Reduction Strategy. Conducted consultations and studies challenging the government to invest more in poverty reduction and to build on the capacity of community based agencies and efforts. Organized a public forum on poverty with candidates in the Provincial election. Partnered with Make Poverty History Manitoba, Janet Stewart of CBC was the moderator. Launched City Watch, a monthly collaboration of varied community organizations interested in working with City government.
2012 Published A Place to Call Home: Homelessness in Winnipeg in 2011, that quantified the number of people in shelters and experiencing other forms of homelessness. Restarted the Children Environmental Health Partnership, a project to educate the public and promote safer products that affect children. Partnered with a number of environmental and health oriented organizations. Funding from SPCW, Winnipeg Foundation and Thomas Sill Foundation. Launched a Human Rights Code training project, with Healthy Hive Consultants, to help community based organizations understand the code and to know how to use it to defend people’s rights. Collaborated with the Employment and Income Assistance Advocates Network to promote EIA reform with the provincial government. Published a report showing options for reform.
2013 Published a report on the moving of the Canadian Pacific Railway yards from the centre of the city and creating a major social and economic development for the city. Held public meetings and stimulated public discussion.
2014 In partnership with immigrant settlement agencies and other rights and stakeholders such as the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, hosted the pilot project that led to creation of Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, a federally funded program to promote and support the settlement of newcomers to Canada in Winnipeg. Published yet another MB Campaign 2000 Child and Family Poverty Report Card, 25 Years and Children Are No Better Off. Began to work with emergency shelters to develop a central data bank system to help people living without a permanent address. System Pathways into Youth Homelessness launched.
2015-2016
In partnership with almost 30 community and government partners, developed and then led the coordination of Winnipeg’s first street census We Matter, We Count which was designed to be more than just an estimate of how many Winnipeggers were completely or precariously housed but provide essential demographic information as well as on the causes and pathways into becoming unsheltered. Immigration Partnership Winnipeg’s (IPW) completed a strategic planning process, received a three-year funding agreement and began to expand staffing. Ran a Get the Vote Out campaign that we hope contributed to the increased voter turnout of up to 20% in lower-income areas. Helped develop and supported the KNOW Poverty campaign with Make Poverty History Manitoba (MPHM). IPW ‘hit the ground running’ by helping to coordinate planning to address the needs of large contingent of Syrian refugees expect later in the year. A youth strategy was developed in partnership with settlement, ethno-cultural and faith organizations. Towards Equity in Education report was launched. We also found and moved to our present location!
2016-2017
Health in Common conducted a strategic planning process with broad stakeholder consultations that led to the development of immediate and long-term goals while establishing a set of Guiding Principles for SPCW. The community of practice led work on developing a shared data system with the three main emergency shelters led to the creation of the Homeless Information Partnership Winnipeg. This included a structure to allow all interested homelessness serving agencies to join at the level of involvement that suited their needs. Assisted in the development and then launch of the Gang Action Interaction Network’s (GAIN) Bridging the Gaps: Solutions to Winnipeg Gangs. Partnership established with Southern Chiefs Organization to determine a safer and more accountable reporting/complaint process for the taxi industry. After two years of community consultations, the Restorative Justice Association of Manitoba was founded in partnership with restorative justice practicing organizations and the broader community. Here and Now: Winnipeg Plan to End Youth Homelessness was launched with SPCW asked to play on-going coordinating role of the coalition of plan stakeholders to activate its recommendations. Make Poverty History Manitoba released “12 Basic Needs of Christmas” video series and raised more than $7000 at an awareness and fundraising concert. Other SPCW publications were: The Measures We Use: Indicators of Poverty in Manitoba Review of All Aboard 2015-2016 Annual Report, Building a Community Asset: The Ongoing Need for Social Housing in Manitoba, Basic Income and EIA: Sidestepping the “Welfare Wall”, Social Housing: Beyond Bricks and Mortar – Lord Selkirk Park and West End Commons. IPW and its Immigrant Advisory Council released the final version of a 3-year action plan to improve inclusivity in Winnipeg. IPW’s Indigenous Newcomer and Engagement Sector Table developed the outline and draft for what has become the Indigenous Orientation Toolkit. IPW also coordinated the first and now annual Newcomer and Welcome Fair in partnership with newcomer serving organizations and the City of Winnipeg. This is both a resource fair but also a fun, family day that is not just for newcomers to Canada but the surrounding neighbours. It is also an important opportunity to share cultures and especially for newcomers to learn about Indigenous Peoples. Working alongside faith-based and ethnocultural groups, IPW and SPCW established summer programs for newcomer youth. IPW worked to bring training to the Winnipeg Police Service on how to respectfully engage with newcomer populations.
2017-2018
In partnership with Southern Chiefs Organization, SPCW ran the From Mom with Love campaign to provide gifts to 150 children whose mothers were incarcerated. We continued to support the 100 Basket Balls event that also expanded to 100 Soccer Balls. These were fun ‘tournaments’ that brought newcomer and Indigenous youth together with each child leaving with a soccer ball or basketball. Work began on the second Winnipeg Street Census with that report released on 2018’s World Homelessness Day. 2nd Annual Welcome Fair was held. IPW continued to develop and work through its advisory tables while becoming very involved and helped lead a community response to concerns of irregular border crossings at Emerson in the wake of the Trump presidency in the United States. A network was established as well as the development of the report Bread and Borders. IPW worked with Ethnocultural Community Groups and faith groups to develop an orientation to settlement program to improve integration process for newcomers. SPCW worked through Make Poverty History Manitoba to develop and launch Winnipeg Without Poverty and campaign just prior to the 2018 municipal election. This led to the City finally agreeing to develop its first poverty reduction strategy in 2019. SPCW was part of the movement that successfully lobbied to limit the hydro price increase to 3.6% instead of the proposed 7.9%.
2018-2019
IPW helped found the Ethno Cultural Council of Manitoba (ECCM) and launch a Newcomer Hub to help newcomer serving agencies deliver more services in South Winnipeg. The Homeless Information Partnership Winnipeg transferred to End Homelessness Winnipeg. IPW helped coordinate and launch the “Got Citizenship, Go Vote” campaign. 3rd annual Welcome Fair was held. Through partnership with City of Winnipeg’s Community services department, newcomer programs to improve integration and quality of life were successfully launched. Through the Newcomer Education Coalition, IPW continued to research and focus on the need for equity in education and call for much needed change in the K to 12 education system and curriculum. In collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba (CCPAMB), and through MPHM, SPCW released: Making Space for Change: The Story of Manitoba’s Rent Assist Benefit. SPCW continued to support a variety of coalitions and helped found the Manitoba Health Coalition.
2019-2020
SPCW held Sorry Not Sorry, Unapologetically Working for Social Justice panel in April, 2019, developed a short video/documentary on the organization’s history and held a special annual general meeting to celebrate its 100th anniversary in September. SPCW worked with the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) in the successful Stadler Court of Appeals challenge. SPCW also coordinated a coalition and campaign to keep the PILC publicly funded. Alongside 100 community organizations, SPCW helped develop a brief with 23 recommendations to improve accountability for the Winnipeg Police Service as well as the larger Justice systems. SPCW was approached and agreed to be a fiscal ‘host’ for the Modernized Annuity Working Group (MAWG). The goal was to raise awareness about and push the federal government to honour their treaty promise around the annuity Indigenous People receive. It has remained at either $4 or $5 dollars instead of increasing as it was meant to. Through IPW and the Newcomer Education Coalition work, Winnipeg School Division One promised to establish an equity office. Again, IPW’s coalition work led to the City of Winnipeg adopting a Newcomer Welcome and Inclusion policy. Development of educational support for newcomer students K-12 in collaboration with multiple community organizations was successfully deployed during the pandemic, including providing donated computers to newcomer families to help address the technical divide. IPW coordinated the development and release of short videos of various community leaders in multiple languages explaining essential Covid 19 updates. The Manitoba: COVID-19 Doesn’t Discriminate, Nor Should You and Don’t Discriminate MB campaigns released on social media. The Manitoba Collaborative Data Portal was publicly launched, including a food insecurity dashboard. The Indigenous Orientation Tool Kit saw its first release as a workshop. The report Fostering Safe Spaces for Dialogue and Relationship Building Between Newcomers and Indigenous Peoples was launched. In collaboration with the Newcomer Education Coalition and University of Winnipeg, the report Supported Transitions: Effective Educational Approaches for Older Refugee Youth with Interrupted Schooling was released.
2020-2021
Coordinated the creation of Solutions Lab on Community Decision-Making Tools for Housing Issues. The Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Cards: Broken Promises Stolen Futures and Manitoba Poverty Central were published. The Police Accountability Coalition was founded and launched. IPW received a five-year funding contract based on both its previous and planned work. IPW coordinated the First Annual Anti-Racism Week, and development of multiple anti-racism resources including, but not limited to, Steps to Responding to Racism Comments, Tips for Victims of Hate Crimes, Debunking COVID-19 Racist Myths, and the creation of an online library of initiatives related to COVID-19. Launch of The Land and Treaties EAL Curriculum. In collaboration with IPW, MANSO, Mosaic, and Manitoba Possible, the Newcomer Vaccine Awareness Working Group was established to reduce barriers to vaccination. Introduction of Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign and cultural training workshops for sports organizations in Winnipeg. IPW also saw its consultation and collaboration work come to fruition as Canada’s citizenship oath was officially changed to acknowledge First Nations, Metis and Inuit rights.
2021-2022
Ongoing coordination of the Police Accountability Coalition (PAC) led to meetings with both municipal and provincial government representatives. Position papers on a funding model for the Winnipeg Police Service, the need for the collection of race-based data and body-worn cameras were developed and presented on. PAC also, with the Public Interest Law Center, developed a position paper on the need to and how to overhaul the Independent Investigations Unit. Facilitation of Housing Solutions Lab, report delivered March 2022. Creation of 2021 Census Population Dashboard on the data portal. Launch of Healthcare for All campaign with the Access Without Fear coalition. Worked in partnership with CCPAMB and chapter authors on what was to become Winnipeg at a Crossroads: Alternative Municipal Budget 2022. SPCW directly contributed to the chapters on policing, newcomers and the City’s Indigenous Accord commitments. This was launched ahead of the 2022 municipal election. SPCW then created information one-pagers on some of the chapters to help inform voters. We also worked with community-based organizations to develop a series of questions that we then invited mayoral candidates to answer in a filmed interview. These videos were shared widely ahead of the election. As an acknowledged leader in developing resources and best practices on developing better relationships between newcomer and Indigenous communities, IPW received additional funding for a dedicated Indigenous Relations Coordinator. Promising Practices Series: Developing and Evidence Base and Sharing Settlement and Integration practices that Work was also created. IPW facilitated the Anti-Racism Youth Forum: From Awareness to Action as well as the Walking Toward a Human Rights City. Newcomer Vaccine Awareness Working Group established multiple supports for newcomers accessing healthcare, including, but not limited to, language interpretation at vaccine appointments and vaccine information events. The Newcomer Education Coalition released the second annual State of Equity in Education Report, joined the Minister’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Education, and facilitated Youth Sector Call. Completion of Newcomer Employment Hub’s feasibility study on practical support for newcomers. Release of report Exploring Experiences of Racism and Anti-Racism in Sport in Winnipeg in collaboration with University of Manitoba as a part of 2021-2022 Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign.
2022-2023
SPCW partnered with the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee on a series of presentations and a joint statement for Mayor and Council on women’s experiences in taxis in Winnipeg to ensure the City’s Code of Conduct for all vehicle for hire drivers would be strong and ensure accountability. This work led to the City doing more community consultation work specifically with Indigenous and newcomer women. SPCW also partnered with End Homelessness Winnipeg and other community agencies to defeat a regressive move, dismantling of two bus shelters, in how the City deals with people experiencing homelessness. Continued to support PAC in organizing and coordination for meetings with Winnipeg Police Services and the Police Board. Developed a position paper on the need for a more effective response to people in mental health crisis, one that is community led as opposed to police led, than Winnipeg’s Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis. Partnered with End Homelessness Winnipeg to coordinate the 2022 Winnipeg Street Census and authored the final report. With MPHM created a set of policies for the provincial election candidates to prioritize the elimination of poverty in Manitoba and helped plan and host an election debate on poverty. Child and family report card Poverty, The Pandemic and the Province released. SPCW also supported the first performance of The Shoe Project in Winnipeg. An initiative that supports newcomer women with writing and performance coaching to tell their immigration story. Also partnered with a broad national coalition to win the Mason v. Canada Supreme Court challenge. IPW launched the Indigenous Orientation Toolkit, including facilitator guides, EAL modules, with more to come including videos and a digital learning system. Launch of Winnipeg Newcomer Strategic Plan. IPW hosted the Newcomer Mayoral Forum in October 2022 as part of the Got Citizenship? Go Vote campaign. Release of Leadership Development and Board Capacity Working Group’s Research Report “Building Stronger Boards – a Study on the Diversity of Settlement Organizations in Winnipeg”. Establishment of the Anti-Racism in Sport Youth Council. Creation of Engaging Regulatory Bodies Working Group. With IPW’ support, ECCM received funding to launch multiple projects such as: Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Project, Healthy, Safe and Violence Free Relationships Project, Tales from our Grandparents, Inclusion Through Art and Culture Heritage Project, North End Connect Project, I am a Refugee Video Project and more. IPW provided project oversight support to these as well. IPW worked with the University of Manitoba on the Anti-Racism in Social Work Course Development and the on-going Community Safety Project, and released Supported Transitions for Small Centres: Older Youth with Interrupted Schooling.
2023-2024:
STAY TUNED!
Manitoba fails to address child poverty
By: Josh Brandon FOR more than a decade, Manitoba has persisted as the province with the highest rates of child poverty in Canada. This sad record consigns tens of thousands of children to reduced opportunities in education, employment and social … Continue reading →
POVERTY, THE PANDEMIC AND THE PROVINCE: MANITOBA CHILD AND FAMILY POVERTY, FEBRUARY 2023
REPORT LAUNCH EVENT:Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 10amFreight House, Door 4, Boys and Girls Club, 200 Isabel St, Winnipeg POVERTY, THE PANDEMIC AND THE PROVINCE: MANITOBA CHILD AND FAMILY POVERTY, FEBRUARY 2023 WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – New data show Manitoba maintains the … Continue reading →

Our friends at Immigration Partnership Winnipeg (IPW) are thrilled to have been selected for Phase 2 of the #ImmigrantsWork initiative:
“We’re excited to join a growing cohort of organizations that in partnership with @WESCanada are working with employers to support the economic inclusion of immigrants and driving systems change in Canada’s labor market.”
For more information:
World Education Services Partner Blog
Happy Holidays and all the best in 2023
from the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg!

Looking for voter information?
Please find our helpful and easy to follow voter guides on how to vote and who your candidates are here
Please find our Got Citizenship Go Vote pamphlets here
Issue by issue videos of 9 of the 11 mayoral candidates
(Click on the images to view the YouTube videos)





















2022 Municipal Election Information Sheets
What you need to know before you vote about:
June 14, 2022: Joint Statement on Proposed Dismantling of Winnipeg Bus Shelters by City Council
As a community, we are very concerned with the approach taken by Councillor Shawn Nason and the majority of the Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works (IRPW) committee on June 9, 2022. We do not support the motion to remove infrastructure from bus stops on Regent Avenue or anywhere else. These types of actions are regressive, punitive approaches to poverty and homelessness that have proven failures. In the absence of adequate housing and safe consumption sites, people inevitably use substances in public spaces. Dismantling one or two bus shelters does not address this, as was openly admitted at the June 9 IRPW meeting. Safe consumption sites are an evidence-based best practice for reducing harms of street-level substance use. The only solution to homelessness is housing; and housing is a human right. To address street-level homelessness and substance use, the City must invest in safe, supportive, culturally appropriate housing, consumption sites and mobile outreach services. In this way, relationships between community outreach teams and unsheltered residents can lead to an even greater number of successful housing placements than local outreach providers are already achieving. The Kíkinanaw Óma Strategy contains many solutions-oriented recommendations, including interim steps such as a guide for the public on what to do if they encounter folks who may be unsheltered. The City of Winnipeg is a key partner in the strategy, alongside lived experts, other levels of government and community organizations such as End Homelessness Winnipeg, Main Street Project, 1JustCity, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, West Central Women’s Resource Centre, Right to Housing Coalition, Fearless R2W and others. The City’s own Encampment Support Process is grounded in this strategy, stating that the City of Winnipeg is committed to working with partner agencies to find long-term solutions for supporting unsheltered Winnipeggers. The City’s own process also states that, at all times, the City’s actions will be guided by the human rights based approach outlined in A National Protocol for Homeless Encampments in Canada, issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing. The motion to dismantle bus shelters undermines these commitments. Rather, it blames people experiencing homelessness and people who use substances for a host of issues – related to community safety, housing, health, public transit, waste removal and maintenance of public space – that are the responsibility of municipal and other levels of government. In this sense, it is a mere distraction from urgent City Council priorities. Further, when leaders at City Hall misrepresent the City’s approach as ineffectual because it takes time, during which homelessness remains visible, they undermine Winnipeg’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Research indicates that more than two-thirds of those experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg are Indigenous: survivors of legacies of colonization and cultural genocide including Residential Schools and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people. More than half of people experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg have been in the care of Child and Family Services, meaning they are also survivors of family separation, abuse and neglect. More than half of people experiencing homelessness have traumatic brain injuries. Nearly half are living with physical and/or mental health disabilities. Housing successes in this context still occur, in collaboration with every mobile outreach provider that has casework and navigation supports. Achieving results takes time, due to siloed and bureaucratic government systems that must be navigated to access housing: income assistance, identification, primary care, disability services, cultural supports, justice services, mental health and/or addictions treatment, all of which must be arranged separately, often with long wait times. This creates barriers to access and trust for people, even with the best-trained, housing-focused, peer-led outreach available. In the interim, bus shelters can provide refuge from the elements and a sense of safety to community members, as well as a place to gather. They likewise provide a critical amenity to people who have housing and do not use substances in public places. Taking bus shelters away and blaming this action on “homelessness and drug use” only reinforces stigma, fear and hatred toward people without homes and with substance use concerns. The stigmatizing and hateful language used by some Councillors to describe our unsheltered friends, relatives, and neighbours – in some cases literally comparing them to trash or excrement – is the most shocking and deeply concerning aspect of this issue. It is clear that some Councillors deem people gathering in bus shelters as undeserving of the most basic human respect or dignity, let alone rights. Proposals to dismantle bus shelters, implement hostile architecture (such as slanted benches as proposed at the IRPW meeting), and “move people along” deepen the rights violations and accessibility barriers faced by people who are already experiencing daily violations of their right to live in security, peace, and dignity. We urge the City to undertake the following:
These actions will help to achieve the City’s stated goals and commitments to human rights and Reconciliation. Jacob Kaufman, Peer Advocate Organizations signing onto the statement: |


62% v 19% of Winnipeggers Say Spend More Money on Poverty than Police
October 13, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Results from a recent poll of Winnipeggers challenge the notion that we should address concerns about safety by spending more on police. September 2022 polling feedback confirms that the majority of Winnipeggers understand that creating a safer community means spending more to address poverty as opposed to policing.
“We have been monitoring a variety of polling information on policing and crime reduction. While they seemed to indicate people do understand that the over-investment in policing and jail is not getting us a safer community for all, no one had asked a straightforward, binary question, on where we should invest to reduce crime and so we did. The results are clear.” Abdikheir Ahmed, PAC Co-Chair.
Through Probe Research, PAC asked: “There are many causes of crime and many potential solutions. In your view, though, what’s the single best way to reduce crime in Winnipeg?” Winnipeggers are three times as likely to favour spending more on poverty reduction than on investing in additional police services. More than 6 in 10 say poverty reduction is the best way to reduce crime.
“We hope that any candidates in this municipal election and the upcoming provincial election who are or are considering beating the ‘tough on crime’ drum for votes, will look at this information and rethink. It is clear that they are speaking both for and to the minority.” Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, PAC Member.
“At the very least, candidates who insist we have to spend more on policing at the moment, had also better be proposing substantial poverty reduction measures as well. This includes building rent-geared-to-income housing and making transit more affordable.” Desiree McIvor, Spokesperson, Make Poverty History Manitoba, PAC Member.
Women, younger adults, those with higher levels of education as well as Indigenous and racialized Winnipeggers are most likely to favour a poverty reduction approach to addressing crime. Conversely, older people (those aged 55+) and those with lower levels of formal education are more likely to favour additional police spending.
These polling results suggest strong public support for PAC’s and Make Poverty History Manitoba’s call to make poverty reduction a priority. Our recommendations to municipal election candidates include redirecting at least 10% of police funding to community organizations providing community-based mental health supports to address the root causes of crime and expand support for 24-hour safe spaces. PAC is a contributor to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba’s Alternative Municipal Budget 2022: Winnipeg at a Crossroads:
https://policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/winnipegs-alternative-municipal-budget-2022-winnipeg-crossroads.
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Kate Kehler, kkehler@spcw.mb.ca (PAC contact)

Statement on Convoy Protest
February 11, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The opportunity to express discontent with government decisions in a non-violent and peaceful manner is part of the democratic process. Ordinary people, though, expect that rights are balanced with responsibilities. Safety and consideration of everyone impacted in engaging in the democratic process must be prioritized. This means that police should respond to the acts of violence, harassment, hate speech and racist actions occurring, including responding to citizen calls and complaints in a balanced approach.
The occupation and blockades that have occurred at the Manitoba Legislature, health facilities, schools, and at the Emerson border are impacting people’s lives, including their employment, health, wellbeing, and sense of safety. We know this group doesn’t represent the views of science or everyday Canadians.
We are concerned with political representatives at municipal, provincial and federal levels creating a false narrative naming the Convoy Protest as equivalent to protests and marches by groups like Black Lives Matter and Idle No More.
Unlike the Protest Convoy, Black Lives Matter, Every Child Matters and Idle No More protests are characterized by:
- Absence of symbols of hate such as swastikas or that promote slavery (U.S. Confederate flags);
- Absence of harassment or threats to personal safety of others;
- Teachings offered and welcome made to people who may disagree or may not fully understand the issue;
- Disruptions are limited to acknowledge that while Indigenous, Charter and all Human Rights issues must be honoured, there are too many who struggle just to get by for a variety of reasons, poverty, mental health, addictions etc…, so potential harm to them must be limited;
- Media coverage is welcomed and dialogue encouraged.
We know that approximately 90% of Canadians have gotten vaccinated and are fulfilling their responsibilities to keep themselves, all of our loved ones, and every one of us safe. The concerns brought by the convoy group do not represent systemic oppression and it is irresponsible and damaging to be making these statements and do not reflect that we have serious concerns to address in Winnipeg and Manitoba, including:
- the highest rates of child and family poverty, 1 in 4 Manitoba children live below the poverty line;
- the number of children in the child welfare system in Manitoba, 90% of whom are Indigenous;
- community members without access to mental health and housing supports;
And sadly the list could just continue.
We are calling for our leaders to provide leadership and bring an immediate end to the occupations and at minimum a public statement that police will respond to acts of violence, harassment, and racism when they occur, including responding to citizen calls and noise complaints in a balanced approach.
Thank you to the 100+ organizations that are signatories to the Police Accountability Coalition Policy Brief and allies.
“We live in a democratic country, and everyone has the right to protest and air their grievances with civility and decorum. We should not be making connections between civil protests like Black Lives Matter, Every Child Matters and Idle No more with hate filled, swastika waving, racist individuals who have no respect for other people’s rights.” Abdikheir Ahmed, PAC Co-chair
“As the police accountability coalition we are calling for police accountability. All citizens of Winnipeg deserve safety and should receive appropriate responses when asking the police to address safety concerns in their neighbourhood.” – Michael Redhead Champagne, PAC Co-chair
“There are almost 89,000 Manitoba children living in poverty. This means that their freedom is limited by their lack of resources and the stigma of being poor. Their parents, who struggle in poverty which is largely created by our systems, are at greater risk of infection by Covid 19 and of hospitalization. These freedom violations dwarf the misguided concept of freedom by the occupiers who demand that their liberty is more important than a democratic government’s actions to protect its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.” Sid Frankel, Campaign 2000MB
“I do worry about the false equivalency messages. Of the many reasons that what is happening at the Leg, the border, Ottawa etc… are out of bounds is because what they are asking for had already been signaled. Here, the provincial government had already said they were looking for a restriction free Spring. A move that was immediately questioned by front-line medical professionals as too soon. The data didn’t support it. Today they have released an accelerated timeline as they continue to announce more deaths. Time will tell but past lifting restrictions too soon has caused a resurgence of Covid hospitalizations and death.” Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
We work with newcomer and ethnocultural groups and COVID-19 has taken a disproportionate toll on in terms of their income, education, health and social wellbeing. However the freedom these communities embrace is the one that is centered in people’s health, safety, inclusion and acceptance for all. The public health restrictions are about keeping us all as safe as possible in these very difficult times.” Reuben Garang, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
“The protests and occupation are promoting dangerous far-Right ideas. For example here in Manitoba a geometric symbol with origins in antisemitism was marked in the snow outside Manitoba’s Legislative Building. Leaders of the protests have documented ties to anti-Islamic and white supremacist causes. We unequivocally condemn such ideas. Freedom gained through the oppression or deprivation of another is unworthy of the name. We stand for positive freedom: striving to make sure everyone has what they need to make a good life. This can only be achieved through democratically elected governments acting in the public interest, constantly pushed by an informed citizenry, and committed building of a fairer and more just society for all.” – Molly McCracken, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Manitoba
“What we hear is: “We want our lives back, a return to normal, the pandemic over etc…” Who doesn’t? But they seem to want to impose what they deem to be an acceptable level of risk on the rest of us? We do call on the province to address the real harms caused by the necessary public health restrictions such as poverty, mental health and addictions all too prevalent prior to the pandemic and now are so much worse.” David Kron, Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba

For more ideas on how to inform the municipal budget, check out these appearances by community experts and leaders at the last EPC on December 10, 2021:
Kate Kehler, Executive Director, SPCW (full EPC statement)
Reuben Garang, Executive Director, IPW
Molly McCracken, Executive Director, CCPA MB
Michael Barkman, Chair of MPHM and Manitoba Public Policy Coordinator, CCEDNet
Lisa Forbes, Manager of BEST, SEED Winnipeg, and Board Member, Trees Please
Executive Director Kate Kehler’s Appearance at the Executive Policy Council on the 2022 Budget
What We Don’t Change, We Choose
Manitoba: Missed Opportunities, Manitoba Child & Family Poverty Report Card Release, Campaign 2000, December 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1st, 2021

What We Don’t Change, We Choose
Campaign 2000 is a national coalition that monitors progress and setbacks to end child and family poverty in Canada. It was initially formed to hold the federal government to its 1989 unanimous motion in the House of Commons to end child poverty by the year 2000.
Campaign 2000 Manitoba’s most recent child and family poverty report card Manitoba: Missed Opportunities demonstrates once again that successive Manitoba governments have failed to meaningfully tackle child and family poverty. Manitoba remains the province with the highest rate of child poverty. More than 1 in 4 Manitoba children live in poverty. When speaking of children under the age of 6, it is 1 in 3. Manitoba used to be home to the federal ridings with the 1st, 3rd and 5th highest rates of child poverty but now we have the 1st, 3rd and 4th.
“The saying goes: What we don’t change, we choose. We have continued to either ignore the problem or blame those who are trapped in the systems that are supposed to help them out of poverty but in reality end up keeping them mired in it. We are a rich country. Why do we allow this to continue?” Sid Frankel, Campaign 2000 National Steering Committee
“Each year, campaign 2000 releases a report on poverty in Manitoba and each year the impacts of poverty for First Nations continues to be far worse. There is a direct correlation between what perpetuates inequality amongst First Nations and systemic, institutional, and colonial practises. First Nations are disproportionately over-represented in Child and Family Services, Justice, Health, and homelessness. In an era of reconciliation, we need a committed government to begin putting tangible action into the recommendations that Campaign 2000 identifies. As First Nations, we are willing to collaborate with the government to address these contributing factors of poverty and to finally eliminate poverty for First Nations in Manitoba.” Cora Morgan, First Nations Child and Family Advocate Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
“Fearless R2W serves families involved in child welfare in one of the poorest ridings in Canada, Winnipeg North. We are calling for increased access to quality public services, the ending of selling Manitoba Housing stock, free internet and exemption from CERB/CRB recovery to alleviate child and family poverty, and reduce the over apprehension of children.” Mary Burton, Fearless R2W
“We called the report Missed Opportunities because of the most recent missed opportunity of our provincial government to capitalize on a federal initiative, the 2016 Canada Child Tax Benefit. The government released their poverty strategy in 2017 but did not resource it and even changed the legislation so they would no longer be required to report back on it. The result? Child poverty rose in 2017, 2018 and 2019 which is the most recent data available. And again, we are still talking about pre-pandemic conditions. How do we think these families weathered the pandemic storm? Too many children in Manitoba are missing out on opportunity” Kate Kehler, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, C2000 MB
“The recent Throne Speech promised to develop innovative approaches to meet the needs of single parents and Indigenous youth. Given that 62% of children living in single parent families live in poverty and Indigenous people living on reserve and off reserve make up 65% and 53% respectively of people living in poverty in this province, and 90% of the kids in Child and Family Services are Indigenous and we know these kids then end up being over-represented in houselessness and jail, any and all investment is long, long overdue. We need a real commitment to providing the necessary supports to keep families together while helping parents fulfill their dreams of better education and/or meaningful employment.” Desiree McIvor, Make Poverty History Manitoba
“As nurses, we see firsthand the results of children and families living in poverty, which includes poor health outcomes. The Manitoba: Missed Opportunities report is aptly named, as we are indeed missing the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of so many Manitobans, especially our children. We call for action on the part of the Manitoba government, there is simply no more time to waste.” Darlene Jackson, President of the Manitoba Nurses Union
“Teachers know that child poverty has a profound effect on students’ ability to learn—and on their opportunities for educational success. As a society, we need to find the moral compassion and financial commitment to help these children more quickly. Lifting kids and families out of devastating poverty is not a burden, but a privilege.” James Bedford, The Manitoba Teachers’ Society
“One in 7 Manitoba households were food insecure prior to the pandemic, meaning they did not have the financial resources to buy enough food (PROOF Food Insecurity Policy Research) and resulting in significant impacts to their physical and mental health. One in 5 Manitoba children lives in a food insecure household. Rising food prices and lost wages during the pandemic have only made the situation worse. Household food insecurity is not an issue of food, but one of equity, including our collective obligation to provide a high quality of life to everyone in Manitoba. A properly resourced provincial strategy with clear timelines for ending child poverty is key to fulfilling this obligation.” Rob Moquin, Food Matters Manitoba
“If there is anything that needs Manitobans to pull together, it should be to eliminate or reduce poverty among sections of communities and specially among children with newcomer children included. Government leaders have to commit to allocate funding differently to empower families and communities that are often left out in decision making processes. For newcomer children investment in after school programs and culturally sensitive holistic health programs are a few of the practical ways to reduce poverty.” Reuben Garang, Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
“Poverty grinds people down. It makes for an endless set of days that are stressful for parents from the time they wake to the time they go to bed. Newcomer families living in poverty worry about how they are going to pay their bills and also pay for their children’s school supplies. They worry about not having enough money to pay back the transportation loans they were charged by our government, a poverty-entrenching policy that few other governments require. If we alleviated poverty through financial empowerment, a living wage, affordable social housing, and low-cost universal child care, that ideal passage from newcomer to citizen would be so much smoother, and we could achieve the ideal of an inclusive multicultural society that we hold dear.” Shereen Denetto, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba.
“The report also makes note that Manitoba’s income disparity is growing which makes the province an outlier when compared to others. In Manitoba, those earning less than $25,000 annually saw their income go down while those earning $50,000 to $80,000 saw their after-tax income rise. These are policy choice from this government that must be amended so that those who need the most get more.” Josh Brandon, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
Media contact:
Channah Greenfield
Office & Communications Administrator
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
(204) 898-2551
Media Release Child Poverty MB 2021_Final
Manitoba: Missed Opportunities – December 2021 Child and Family Poverty Report Card, Campaign 2000
Executive Policy Committee Appearance – Poverty Reduction Strategy
Citizenship oath sworn by new Canadians now recognizes Indigenous rights
Citizenship Oath sworn by new Canadians now recognizes Indigenous rights
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