Let’s fix the city’s social infrastructure

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2014 (3716 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

During this election, our physical-infrastructure deficit got substantial attention as it is a concern to many Winnipeggers. The social-infrastructure deficit is also important but got less attention. Now that a new mayor and council have been elected, it is important to stress the needs of both our physical and social infrastructure.

What city hall can do to help meet the needs of individuals, families and diverse communities, is as important as providing for our pavement, pipes and police. Funding social supports, cultural events, housing, recreational facilities and community development is important to the quality of city life, and therefore the economic life of the city.

By incorporating social equity (a fair sharing of resources) and inclusion in all planning and developments in the city, we can better meet our social needs and tap into our social capital — the community assets and resources needed for effective community-building. Social equity and inclusion are both a means and an end for a safe, healthy and prosperous community.

During the election, some ideas were proposed to foster equity and inclusion.

• Tax-incentive financing was proposed as a way to fund affordable new housing. Unfortunately, TIF has been around for a few years and has shown little uptake for developers to create affordable housing.
• Most of the mayoral candidates agreed to promote a living-wage policy for the city, though some said they needed to know more about the idea before supporting it fully.
• A couple of candidates have endorsed a plan to end homelessness, though more needs to be done to support those who experience homelessness and in particular, to prevent homelessness.
• While rapid transit dominated discussions on city transportation, there were ideas on how to improve bus service and to reduce fares for students and low-income residents as ways of improving their access to services and work opportunities.
• And there was consensus that increased provincial money for housing and social programs was needed. The funds are needed, but the province has shown little success in its poverty-reduction efforts.

But with a new council, I hope we can see a vision and then plan how to bring new resources and actions to address the city’s social needs. The vision could and should propose the means to re-engage the city in a determined approach to help young people, those in poverty and newcomers, as well as the working population, with their employment and affordable-housing options.

Many of us working in social development share a perspective, that assuring equity and social inclusion in city planning is good for everyone in our community, not just those suffering from poverty. The simple truth is when people have a decent income, affordable housing and social supports for particular special needs, they can be fully engaged citizens, consumers, workers and taxpayers. They no longer add costs to the health, education and justice systems. They can then bring up their children to be productive participants in the city’s future.

We have many studies that show the individual, family and community value of reducing the number of people who live in poverty. Mainstream economists are now speaking out on the economic and political liabilities of gross income inequality that leads to poverty.

We know incorporating the needs, interests and contributions of all citizens in the planning and services of the city benefits everyone. Equity in city planning is not just a moral imperative; it is a practical asset in creating a healthy and prosperous city.

As a first step, the new city council could establish a poverty-reduction committee to be an active leader in reducing the poverty in Winnipeg. A formal city body, with representation from all levels of government, business and community sectors could re-engage the city in addressing the interrelated dynamics of poverty and social inclusion. This initiative would be a magnet for attracting community support.

Such a body would demonstrate a commitment to equity and the understanding, that social inclusion is not only a responsibility of society, but an opportunity for society.

Dennis Lewycky is executive director of the Social Planning Council.