Poverty Reduction Strategy

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Winnipeg is a city known for its strong community spirit and history of people coming together for a common purpose. It is also a city where 1 in 8 people are living in poverty, and struggle on a daily basis to put food on the table or a roof over their heads. The Poverty Reduction Strategy will become the foundation for the City of Winnipeg’s work in poverty reduction going forward, by clarifying the City’s role, identifying priority short and long-term actions, and setting out an implementation plan that includes review and renewal.

Winnipeg is a city known for its strong community spirit and history of people coming together for a common purpose. It is also a city where 1 in 8 people are living in poverty, and struggle on a daily basis to put food on the table or a roof over their heads. The Poverty Reduction Strategy will become the foundation for the City of Winnipeg’s work in poverty reduction going forward, by clarifying the City’s role, identifying priority short and long-term actions, and setting out an implementation plan that includes review and renewal.

Background

Poverty is visible in Winnipeg. It is found in all areas of the city, and affects 1 in 8 people (13 percent of the population, or 92,000 people). Certain population groups have higher rates of poverty than their share of the population, including children, Indigenous People, and recent immigrants. We also know that people of colour, people with a disability, 2SLGBTQQIA people, and lone parents, especially female lone parents, are also more likely to experience poverty.

Poverty is a very complex issue, with multiple causes and no single solution. There are many different types of poverty, it can be short-term and associated with job-loss or significant life changes, or it can be long-term and related to substance use disorder, mental health issues, individual or inter-generational trauma, and historic and systemic discrimination. While senior levels of government have jurisdiction over key areas of social well-being, including housing, health, education, and income supports, municipalities have a role to play in reducing poverty. Municipal governments across Canada are taking steps to reduce poverty as the level of government closest to residents.

*Subject to Council approval