Manitoba child and family poverty rising, report calls for urgent action

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Manitoba continues to have the highest rates of child poverty in Canada, according to findings released in the 2024 Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Tuesday.

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The report highlights an increase in child and family poverty in the province, with Winnipeg Centre showing the highest rate of child poverty among urban federal ridings.

Data from the 2022 tax filers reveals a sharp rise in poverty rates, particularly among children under 18 and under 6. The report’s findings also show that the percentage of children living in food-insecure households in Manitoba rose to 32.6% in 2023 from 25.7% in 2022.

“As the provincial government is getting ready to roll out its poverty reduction strategy, we hope they will engage with us on the findings and the proposed solutions in this report,” said Dr. Sid Frankel, senior scholar at the University of Manitoba and member of the Campaign 2000 national steering committee. “Our recommendations are not a comprehensive list but offer some small, intermediate and large actions the province can commit to now, and then again, of course, at budget time.”

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Experts warn of the serious consequences of food insecurity for children and adolescents, who are more likely to face health issues, including increased hospital visits and mental health challenges. Dr. Natalie Riediger, Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba, noted, “Children and adolescents living in food insecure households are more likely to be hospitalized, visit the emergency room, require day surgery, and access health services for mental or substance use disorders.”

Local organizations also see the issue worsening.

“Every day, we see the need growing in our community and the desperation that unmet needs bring about,” said Mary Burton of Zoongizi Ode. “There have been some positive movements from the government but when the situation has been allowed to get this bad, we need much more.”

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The Christmas Cheer Board has reported a 27% increase in requests for help since 2021, with more than 21,000 requests expected this year.

“We have even moved away from providing the traditional Christmas dinner because people are having so much trouble just meeting basic needs,” said Shawna Bell, executive director of the Christmas Cheer Board.

Meaghan Erbus from Harvest Manitoba echoed these concerns, “The stats we provided for this report are just the tip of the iceberg. Our upcoming Voices report, to be released in December, has stories that prove resiliency but also heartbreak.”

The report also highlights the deepening income inequality in Manitoba, where the richest 10% earn 22.6 times more than the lowest 10%. “It is clear that income inequality is alive and well in Manitoba,” said Kate Kehler of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg. “Inequality is greater in Manitoba than in Canada as a whole. We need an equity lens on taxes at all three levels of government.”

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The report calls for immediate and comprehensive action to address these issues, with a particular focus on addressing the root causes of poverty, improving access to basic needs, and ensuring that education and social systems work for all Manitobans.

Dr. Sid Frankel said, “Education got us into this mess and education will get us out of it,” quoting the late Murray Sinclair. “We know there are better ways to educate and care for our children and we need the commitment to implement them.”

As the province prepares to launch its poverty reduction strategy, advocates said the government needs to take these recommendations seriously and prioritize urgent action to reduce child and family poverty.

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