City ponders first poverty reduction strategy

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This article was published 10/11/2021 (1144 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg is eyeing a new, extensive plan to fight poverty over the next 10 years —though some advocates are calling for a financial commitment to back up the work.

If council approves, the city’s first poverty reduction strategy will call for several dozen priority actions to tackle the issue, which include seeking new ways to support affordable housing, ensuring all public works projects aim to reduce poverty, and prioritizing some future city jobs for those facing employment barriers.

However, some say the steps still need to be backed up by a financial commitment to achieve real and lasting change.

“We need to see all levels of government investing dollars. We can’t end poverty within existing (funding)… It’s so important for us now to put our money where our mouth is,” said Dana Connolly, associate executive director of Ka Ni Kanichihk.

The city estimates about 13 per cent of Winnipeggers live in poverty, which rises to 28 per cent for Indigenous residents and 27 per cent for newcomers. The Winnipeg Street Census also found one-third of all Indigenous and newcomer children are affected by poverty.

Connolly said the data underlines the urgent need for action and a focus on culturally sensitive measures to tackle the problem.

“Prioritizing Indigenous folks and Indigenous-led solutions is going to be really critical right now… We need to be able to offer services that are culturally safe,” she said.

Michael Barkman, chairman of Make Poverty History Manitoba, stressed he’s excited to see the city set a priority to reduce poverty, which has long been viewed as a provincial and federal issue.

“We don’t often think of municipal government as a place that deals with poverty but… the city is dealing with housing and (homelessness) all the time and there’s lots of power and levers and jurisdiction that the city does have.”

However, he’s also concerned the report focuses on changes the city can make within its existing budget. For example, Barkman believes his organization’s suggestions to hire six new employees for an affordable housing office and alter the city’s low-income Transit pass to offer fees based on income were left out due to their cost.

“A lot of people can’t afford a $70-a-month bus pass,” he said.

The strategy does call for those with “lived experience” of poverty to monitor progress on the issue and for extensive consultation with Indigenous communities.

It also suggests the city support public restrooms and the establishment of a safe consumption site in Winnipeg, among steps to alleviate the public health and addictions issues that can be linked to poverty.

Mayor Brian Bowman said he plans to support the strategy, despite noting health care and housing fall under provincial jurisdiction.

“There is a role for all levels of government to… ensure we’re building a healthier community for our residents,” said Bowman.

The mayor noted the strategy was designed to fit within the city’s existing budget, which matches what the city can currently afford.

“We’re trying to do what we can within the resources and jurisdiction of a municipal government.”

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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