Manitoba Leads Country in Reducing Child Poverty: Statistics Canada
June 17, 2010
Province Has Second-lowest Poverty Rate Overall, Lowest for Single-parent Families: Ministers
New data released today by Statistics Canada confirms the number of children living in poverty has declined more in Manitoba than elsewhere in Canada, Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Housing and Community Development Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.“Although under all measures of low income Manitoba continues to improve and now has the second lowest rates of child and overall poverty in Canada, numbers are no comfort to those still living in poverty. The progress so far merely reminds us that concerted efforts to attack poverty do make a difference,” said Mackintosh.
The minister said the new data provides information up to the year 2008 and demonstrates that child poverty dropped 10 per cent from 2007 to 2008 and 44 per cent since 2000, lifting over 19,000 children out of poverty since 2000. Manitoba has the lowest poverty rate for single parents across Canada. Between 2000 and 2008, the low-income rates for single parents dropped by 67 per cent.
The market basket measure (MBM) looks at purchasing power based on the cost of a specific basket of goods and services that includes food, clothing, footwear, shelter, transportation and other items like personal care, household equipment and supplies, telephone services, educational and recreational items, and reading materials. The cost of that basket is checked in different communities to accurately take into account differences in the cost of living.
Responding to stakeholders requests to strengthen the measures, a review of the tool used by the federal government was recently undertaken to ensure the basket of goods and services remains current and reflects the standard of living across Canada. Updates to the basket of goods and services now include items such as the addition of a child’s bus pass and having a computer and Internet access at home.
“There is no single solution to poverty, it is the responsibility of all of us to do our bit,” said Irvin-Ross. “All levels of government, business, community services and private citizens must work together to develop social and economic strategies that improve the lives of all Manitobans.”
Under ALL Aboard, Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy, Manitoba now invests $950 million a year to combat poverty. This year, more than 30 new initiatives are being introduced building on work done last year including:
· launching the province’s HOMEWorks! low-income housing strategy, which includes a homeless and mental-health housing component;
· enhancing the Rewarding Work strategy, including Rebound, to help those affected by the recession and get more Manitobans off welfare;
· providing a higher minimum wage;
· launching the Opening Doors Disability strategy;
· adding help for rent payments;
· expanding child care under the Family Choices five-year strategy; and
· launching Service Link to make existing low-income services more understandable and accessible.
The final measures for Manitoba’s ALL Aboard strategy will be announced in 2011 after feedback from engagement sessions with stakeholders across the province has been incorporated, said Mackintosh.
“We are pleased the federal government is committing to regular releases of the MBM data,” he added. “The data is encouraging and motivates us to redouble our efforts with the ALL Aboard strategy. Reducing poverty is the key to prosperity for everyone in our province.”
Market basket measure information and the Low Income in Canada report is available at www.statcan.gc.ca.
The ALL Aboard strategy is lead by a ministers’ committee co-chaired by Mackintosh and Irvin-Ross. The committee oversees the cross-departmental work to co-ordinate efforts to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion.
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Background Information
