Winnipeg, MB – Earlier today, Council approved the City of Winnipeg’s first-ever Poverty Reduction Strategy (2021 – 2031), a comprehensive plan, co-created with the community, that includes a practical approach to reducing poverty, increasing equity, and incorporating a “culture of caring” in all City endeavours over the next decade.
The Strategy aims to be a catalyst for additional and increasing action and partnerships going forward to address underlying root causes and localized impacts of poverty in our city, which requires collaboration by all levels of governments, the community, and people with lived experience of poverty.
“I view the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Strategy as the success of every Winnipegger who wants to make poverty history, in particular the community-based organizations who put countless hours of work into the Strategy’s development,” said Sherri Rollins, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks. “For too long, a city with one of the highest child poverty rates in Canada has had no poverty reduction strategy. While today is an important first step, there is more work to be done to resource and develop indicators to demonstrate we are indeed making poverty history."
"Council passed the City of Winnipeg's first-ever Poverty Reduction Strategy, following a multi-year co-creation process with community members," said Michael Barkman, Chairperson of Make Poverty History Manitoba. "This was a historic moment for the City to acknowledge its role, and a positive step in addressing and helping end poverty in Winnipeg.”
Included in the Strategy are eight goals that have been identified as critical steps towards reducing poverty in Winnipeg:
- Equity and a Culture of Caring are Demonstrated through Strategy Implementation and Systems Change
- The City Actively Plans for and Partners in Affordable Housing
- Equity is Embedded in all City Employment and Income Opportunities
- Community Well-Being Supports for those in Greatest Need are Increased
- Transportation System Equity is Enhanced
- All City Services are Equitable, Inclusive and Accessible
- Food Security and Food System Resilience is Expanded
- Equity in Community Safety is Increased through Collaboration
The Strategy also identifies two key areas – or “Life Poles” – for priority focus and enhanced support as the Strategy is implemented: Indigenous Children, Youth and Families and Affordable Housing. The term “Life Poles” is a reference to the last tipi pole that is raised, which has the critical role of supporting the canvas and representing ultimate protection. “Life Poles” in the Strategy are areas that require ongoing collaboration with partners, other governments, and the community as a whole, in order to make meaningful impact and systemic changes that will help reduce poverty in Winnipeg.
The first implementation plan for the Strategy includes 80 specific actions across City departments — all of which can be undertaken within existing resources — that will begin over the next 18 months. The Public Service will report back to Council in spring 2023 with a status update and the next implementation plan.
The Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Strategy (2021 - 2031) was co-created by representatives of the City of Winnipeg Public Service, Make Poverty History Manitoba, the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council (United Way Winnipeg), and Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc., and was informed by engagement with community stakeholders, including people with lived experience of poverty.