Getting Manitobans out of the poverty trap

Opinion

Amid threats from the U.S., Canadians are standing up for the values we hold dear. Foremost among Canadian values are respect for human rights and dignity.

Canada has long been a global leader in advocating for human rights, with Manitoba at the heart of this effort, embodied in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Yet despite this, more people are being left behind by the lack of bold action to uphold social and economic rights and act on poverty in our country and province.

Income inequality is on the rise — data released this past July found the wealthiest 20 per cent of Canadians are taking home more than ever, and the lowest 20 per cent have less than before to pay for rising food, shelter and transportation costs. The highest-income earners are gaining from investments, while the lowest income earners have declining wages, increased costs and cannot get ahead.

Poverty is on the rise in Manitoba — 11.9 per cent, or 179,370 people live below the poverty line now. Of those who are low income, Manitoba has the highest rate of those living in deep income poverty at 75 per cent below the government’s official poverty line.

Just under seven per cent of Manitobans, or 103,995 of us, survive on less than $11,341 a year or $945 a month. The rise in visible homelessness and people struggling with, and dying from, problematic substance use is sadly no surprise given the pittance of the “social safety net.”

Manitoba also has the lowest rate of intergenerational income mobility in Canada, so that rises in the poverty rate here mean more people are trapped in poverty, born into families where they themselves have a higher likelihood of a lifetime of poverty and passing this along to the next generation.

Against these alarming trends, what can the Manitoba government do?

Last year, the province began consultations for a new poverty reduction strategy as required by legislation, due to be released this fall.

The Manitoba poverty reduction strategy should take a human rights-based approach to focus on meeting the needs of people living in poverty by realizing the human rights to housing, nutritious food, healthcare, decent work, education, transit and information.

The Manitoba government has taken action in key areas. Long-overdue reforms to decolonize the child-welfare system are moving forward. New social housing, the school nutrition program, and free birth control are positive.

However, there remain large gaps in evidence-based policy to address poverty. For example, there have been no increases to welfare despite high inflation and skyrocketing food bank use. The response to the homelessness crisis, while important, is currently insufficient to meet unhoused people’s complex needs for housing and holistic support. Low-income people pay more for bus fare but are getting less service. Single moms below the poverty line still pay $40 a month for child care, if they can get a spot. Adult literacy programs have long wait lists.

The Manitoba Poverty Reduction Strategy Act directs the Manitoba government to bring down poverty rates for all Manitobans, but signals put out in the development of the poverty reduction strategy appear to be efforts to temper expectations on the forthcoming plan.

When the engagement strategy was released, it was announced that the government’s focus is on babies and children, youth aging out of care and seniors.

Why predetermine the groups in need of support in the consultation phase? What about an adult who was a youth in care seven years ago and is homeless now? What about a single adult aged 61 living in poverty? What about a person with disabilities living in poverty? Are they not also deserving of help?

The attempt to moderate expectations could be due to the commitment to balance the Manitoba budget by 2027, which is hamstringing the government’s fiscal capacity to act on poverty. Manitobans are caring people. Surely the majority would rather see a deficit and have those with means pay a bit more in taxes, so that fewer suffer a lifetime of poverty?

Anti-poverty activists are watching for the new provincial strategy, which should set out a clear target and timeline as to how much poverty rates for all the affected populations should be brought down, by when, and how. For example, British Columbia’s 2024 10-year plan aims to reduce overall poverty by 60 per cent, child poverty by 75 per cent, and senior poverty by 50 per cent.

The plan should focus on supporting people to escape the trap of poverty. Make Poverty History Manitoba has a comprehensive plan based on the lived experiences of Manitobans in poverty to bring down poverty rates. We hope the Manitoba government sets out a bold plan to enact social and economic human rights in Manitoba.

Molly McCracken is the chair of the provincial working group of Make Poverty History Manitoba, and the director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Manitoba office.