Manitoba

Updated May 11, 2008
Page révisée le 11 mai 2008

[ Go to Canadian Social Research Links Home Page ]

Province acknowledges progress in fight on poverty, but there is more to do: Mackintosh
$4.3 Million to Support Manitobans to Move Into Jobs, Increase Shelter Welfare Rates
May 6, 2008
"(...) Adding to the $27.6-million commitment made last year, the extra $4.3 million in new Rewarding Work initiatives will help people with disabilities, single parents and other low-income people"...
- includes the following:
* Effective 07/08, increases to shelter rates and rooming house rates directly from the Manitoba Shelter Benefit (see the link below)
* Effective 11/08, Rewarding Work Rent Allowance, a $50-per-month benefit to help non-disabled single adults and couples without children pay their rent after they leave welfare for work.
* Effective 02/09, Get Started! - a one-time benefit (ranging from $175 to $325, depending on the case classification) will be paid to people who leave welfare for work to help them pay for costs related to starting a new job.
* Effective 12/08, the Rewarding Work Health Plan will be provided to single parents and persons with disabilities who leave welfare for work; it extends coverage for prescription drugs and dental and optical services for up to two full years after people leave assistance.
(...)
Rewarding Work is part of the province’s anti-poverty strategy [bolding added], which includes Family Choices, Housing First and HOMEWorks, substantially increased education funding, increases to the minimum wage and other related measures to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the growing economy."

Rewarding Work
Manitoba’s Rewarding Work is a four-year Manitoba strategy to address poverty by giving people hope and dignity through employment. Rewarding Work programs will provide benefits to low-income working families. They will also help Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) [welfare] participants move from EIA to work by increasing the advantages of employment over EIA.

Related links:

Backgrounder (Word file - 35K, 1 page)
October 17, 2007

Rewarding Work
Last April ['07], the province announced Rewarding Work, a four-year, $27-million plan to bring down barriers to employment and help Manitobans on employment and income assistance find employment. The program complements other poverty-fighting measures announced in the last budget including tax changes that benefits 6,000 low-income Manitobans and an enhanced property credit of $125 a year for working low-income renters and homeowners. Other supports for low-income Manitobans include a minimum wage increase to $8 per hour last April and lower child-care costs.

`Protesters pan welfare rates
NDP announces incentives to work
October 18, 2007
Poverty was the topic of the day yesterday at the Manitoba Legislature, with the government announcing new measures to entice people on social assistance to work shortly after demonstrators held a rally outside to demand increases to welfare rates.
Source:
Winnipeg Sun

`REWARDING WORK' TO HELP LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES,
AND MOVE MORE MANITOBANS FROM WELFARE TO WORK: MACKINTOSH
New Child Benefit, Lower-cost Child Care, Stronger Work Incentives, And Skills Package in 10-point Reconstruction of Income Supports
News Release
April 10, 2007
Filling thousands of job vacancies and increasing family prosperity are the objectives of a ground-breaking, four-year action plan to move Manitobans from welfare to work, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today. “Manitobans should always be better off working than on welfare. Yet in getting a job, too often you lose. Benefits are reduced for child allowances, child care, drug, dental and optical coverage, which makes work less attractive,” said Mackintosh. “We must dismantle this welfare wall.”

Backgrounder:

Rewarding Work - Gateway To Opportunities (PDF file - 21K, 3 pages)

Source:
Province of Manitoba

Related links:

Manitoba Child Day Care

Manitoba's Five-Year Plan For Child Care
April 2002

Early Learning and Child Care Services in Manitoba
May 6, 2005
Source:
Manitoba Family Services and Housing

Child Care Online
Source:
Govt. of Manitoba Human Services Online

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From Social Development Canada:

Moving Forward: Governments of Canada and Manitoba
sign an agreement on Early Learning and Child Care
News Release
April 29, 2005
"WINNIPEG, MANITOBA—Prime Minister Paul Martin and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, along with Social Development Minister Ken Dryden and Christine Melnick, Manitoba's Minister of Family Services and Housing and Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities, announced today an historic Agreement in Principle that further supports the development of quality early learning and child care (ELCC) for young children and their families in Manitoba. The Agreement in Principle sets out a long-term vision, principles, and goals to guide the development of regulated early learning and child care for children under six. It also outlines specific objectives that the Government of Manitoba will pursue over the next five years and how that Government will be accountable to Manitobans."

Moving Forward on Early Learning and Child Care
Agreement-in-Principle Between the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba (PDF file- 435K, 10 pages)
April 29, 2005

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Manitoba child care deal sets cross-Canada standard
No election until child care cash secured, says CUPE President
April 29, 2005
"OTTAWA – Today’s federal child care deal with Manitoba gets a cross-Canada system off on the right foot, setting a standard that Canada’s largest union urges the federal government and other provinces and territories to meet and surpass."
Source:
Canadian Union of Public Employees

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Google.ca News Search Results : "Canada, Manitoba, child care agreement"
Google.ca Web Search Results : "Canada, Manitoba, child care agreement"
Source:
Google.ca

For related links, go to the Government Early Learning and Child Care Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ecd.htm

New Directions in Child and Family Services (July 1996)
Statement of Government Policy on Manitoba Children and Youth
March 1998
Province Releases ChildrenFirst Status Report
May 31, 1999
$9.1 Million Increase In Funding For Manitoba’s Child Care System

Department of Finance ------------------ version française

Budgets

Manitoba Budget 2007 : The Building Budget
April 4, 2007
- incl. links to : Minister's Budget Message - Speech - Budget In Brief - The Summary Budget - Budget Papers - The Manitoba Advantage - Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth - Estimates of Expenditure and Revenue -
Tax Savings Estimator - News Releases - 2007 Budget Documents Request Form

Budget 2007 Highlights

Earlier Manitoba Budgets

Google Search Results Links - always current results!
Using the following search terms (without the quote marks):
"Manitoba provincial budget 2007, analysis"
Web search results page
News search results page
Blog Search Results page
Source:
Google.ca

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Manitoba 2006 Budget - March 6, 2006
- incl. links to : Minister's Budget Message Speech - Budget In Brief - Budget Papers - The Manitoba Advantage - Community Economic Development - Modernizing Government - Revenue and Expenditures - Tax Savings Estimator - News Releases - 2006 Budget Documents Request Form
[ version française ]

Budget in Brief
Budget at a Glance (press release)

Google.ca News Search Results : "Manitoba Budget 2006"
Google.ca Web Search Results : "Manitoba Budget 2006"
Source:
Google.ca

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Manitoba Budget 2005 : Balancing Priorities. Building Opportunities. Investing in Tomorrow.
March 21, 2005
- incl. links to : Minister's Budget Message - Speech - Budget In Brief - Budget Papers - The Manitoba Advantage - Addressing Poverty in Manitoba - Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth - Revenue and Expenditures - Tax Savings Estimator - News Releases - 2005 Budget Documents Request Form

Addressing Poverty in Manitoba
[2005 Budget Paper]
"Finding the right mix of policy options to ensure that all members of society who are able to, have the opportunity to participate in the work force is a key challenge facing governments across Canada. In Manitoba, the challenge is complicated by several factors..."
[Previously published as “Welfare to Work: Creating a Community Where all Can Work,” Canadian Journal of Career Development 3, #2 2004]

Google.ca News Search Results : "Manitoba Budget 2005"
Google.ca Web Search Results : "Manitoba Budget 2005"
Source:
Google.ca

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Manitoba Budget 2004
April 19, 2004

Budget Highlights

Google News search Results : "Manitoba budget 2004"
Google Web Search Results : "Manitoba budget 2004"
Source:
Google.ca

For info on other Canadian jurisdictions' budgets, go to the Canadian Social Research Links Canadian Government Budgets page

Manitoba Budget 2003
April 22, 2003
- incl. links to : Minister's Budget Message - Speech - Budget Papers - The Manitoba Advantage - Revenue and Expenses - Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth - Tax Savings Estimator - News Releases - Budget 2003 Home / Budget Tour

Manitoba Budget 2002
April 22, 2002
Budget Papers
Budget 2002 at a Glance
News Releases - including :
- Children, Families and Communities Continue to Receive Support : "Budget 2002 Builds on Success of Healthy Child, Safety and Housing Programs: Selinger"

- Go to the Canadian Government Budgets Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets.htm

Canadian Fiscal Arrangements : What Works, What Might Work Better
Conference
May 16-17, 2002
Winnipeg
"This conference is intended to foster a greater understanding of Canadian fiscal arrangements, as well as to provide an opportunity for public finance officials, academics, and other interested parties to contribute to the debate on the future of fiscal arrangements."
Presentations - presenters include : Keith Banting - Joe Ruggeri - Robin Boadway - Hon. Greg Selinger (Minister of Finance of Manitoba) - Alain Noël - Paul Boothe - Kathy Brock - Ron Neumann - James P. Feehan Elizabeth Beale
Source:
Manitoba Finance and
the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations [IIR] (Queen's University)

IIR conference archives - links to content from three conferences in 2002: (1) Canadian Fiscal Arrangements : What Works, What Might Work Better; (2) Reconfiguring Aboriginal-State Relations; and (3) Globalization, Multilevel Governance and Democracy: Continental, Comparative and Global Perspectives

Department of Education and Training......................version française

From Home Economics [ Manitoba Agriculture ]:

The Cost of Raising a Child: 2004
July 2004
"Children can bring great joy and fulfillment that cannot be measured in dollars. Nonetheless, raising a child is a costly endeavour. This fact sheet gives information about how much it costs to raise a child. The costs shown are taken from Budget Guides, a database produced by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives which details guidelines used for the family living costs in this fact sheet. They are based on an inventory of goods and services needed to maintain physical and social well being. Non-economic costs and benefits are not considered here."
- incl. Economic Costs - Opportunity Costs - Economic Benefits - Cost of Raising a Boy to age 18 - Cost of Raising a Girl to age 18 - Sample family budgets for families living in Winnipeg

NOTE: this report is no longer updated by Manitoba Agriculture, nor is it still on their website. I contacted Manitoba Agriculture in early December 2005, and they confirmed that the report is no more.
The link above takes you to an archived version of this report, available from The Wayback Machine - www.archive.org.

Womens' Directorate

Manitoba Women's Advisory Council
" The Manitoba Women's Advisory Council advises the Manitoba government on issues concerning the status of women. The Council, a self-governing organization operating at arms-length from government, ensures that the voices of women throughout the province are heard."
- inl. links to Who We Are - Events/Information (Manitoba) - Parenting on your Own (resources for single parents, see link below) - Links to Women's Organizations

Parenting on Your Own - Manitoba (and some national) resources for single parents, incl. descriptions and links under the follwoing headings : Aboriginal Services - Abuse - Child Care - Disabilities - Employment/ Education/ Training - Health - Housing - Income Assistance - Legal - Money Management & Stretching The Dollar - Recreation And Wellness - Support For Families
Introduction - Parenting on Your Own
Table of Contents - Parenting on Your Own

Single Parent Families to Benefit from New Online Resource Guide
News Release
April 05, 2002
- Release of the sixth edition of Parenting on Your Own, a guide designed to support single parents, and launch of the Internet version of the guide.
"The handbook provides information about and resources for health, child care, finances, housing and many other topics. Hundreds of resources as well as contact information for community organizations are included. Over the years, more than 60,000 copies have been printed."

Department of Health ..................................version française

Insured Health Benefits
Drug Benefits
Pharmacare
Annual Reports

Legislative Library of Manitoba.

Debates and Proceedings

Manitoba Human Rights Commission...........................version française

Aboriginal Single Window Initiative ......................version française

Manitoba Seniors' Directorate .....................version française

Manitoba Seniors' Guide - excellent guide!
Information (and contact information) in the following areas : Information for Seniors Multi-service Seniors Organizations - Financial Benefits - Housing - Services and Support for Independent Living - Health Care Services - Counselling and Emergency Services - Health and Chronic Disease Resources - Legal and Consumer Rights - Fitness and Recreation - Resources for New Canadian Seniors

Other Manitoba Sites - Autres sites du Manitoba

Manitoba Chamber of Commerce calls for welfare hike
March 28, 2008
In an unusual pairing, the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg to urge the province's NDP government to raise welfare rates.After a year of talks with anti-poverty groups, chamber president Graham Starmer has concluded the money welfare recipients receive to pay for shelter falls well below what they need. Social assistance recipients have to dip into other funds because their shelter rates haven't kept pace with inflation, he said.
Source:
CBC

Related links:

Manitoba Chamber of Commerce

Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

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Echoes of Inner City Voices (PDF File - 3.6MB, 56 pages)
April 2005 (posted online Feb. 22/08)
By Mike Maunder and Virginia Maracle with Tom Carter, Chesya Polevychok and Tom Janzen
From June 1997 to September 1999, the Winnipeg Free Press ran a weekly series of stories – Inner City Voices – that gave voice to people in the inner city. (...) Five years later the authors revisited some of the people they interviewed to see how their lives had changed and how the inner city had changed.
- incl. statistics profiling inner city characteristics and change; program and policy based material; and, socio-economic, demographic and housing information.
Source:
Winnipeg Inner City Alliance
[ Institute for Urban Studies - University of Winnipeg ]

NOTE : the Winnipeg Inner City Alliance has also just released a January 2008 report on financing providers (PDF file - 311 K, 37 pages) in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario and to three New Local Social Economy Research Projects.

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A Province Left Behind.... Where's our poverty eradication plan,
Prime Minister Harper, Premier Doer and Mayor Katz? (PDF file - 971K, 38 pages)
November 2007
Source:
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

Campaign 2000 Report on Child and Family Poverty in Canada
Main page - includes links to both the French and English media releases and reports, as well as links to national report cards for previous years and for selected Canadian provinces.
[ Campaign 2000 ]

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Panhandling In Winnipeg: Legislation versus Support Services
by Tom Carter - Canada Research Chair in Urban Change and Adaptation -
with Anita Friesen, Chesya Polevychok, John Osborne
May 2007
In June 2005, The City of Winnipeg passed an amendment to By-Law 7700/2000 prohibiting some methods of panhandling, and placing restrictions on some aspects of panhandling activity, particularly related to specific types of services or locations. This project addresses the following questions regarding the need for, and the effectiveness of, this legislation:
- Given the nature, number and activity of panhandlers in the city, is this legislation an appropriate response to the circumstances?
- Is the legislation likely to be effective? and,
- Are there more effective means of addressing the issues of panhandling? Is legislation the answer or should the focus be on services and programs to address systemic problems that lead to panhandling in the first place?

The report is available in four volumes:

(scroll to the bottom of the list of journals for a brief summary of the content of each of the four volumes whose links appear below)

Volume 1: Executive Summary (PDF file - 300K, 8 pages)
This volume presents an overview of Volume 2, 3 and 4, and summarizes the findings of the Panhandling in Winnipeg research project.

Volume 2: Literature and Legislation Review (PDF file - 598K, 55 pages)
Academic literature provides valuable insights into who panhandles and why they are on the streets of North American cities. The studies reviewed here document the increasing diversity and overall growth in the numbers of people panhandling. Negative reactions to panhandling have prompted many municipal governments to attempt to control panhandling through legislation and/or program approaches that assist panhandlers to “get off the street”. The main legislative/program approaches to addressing panhandling are reviewed here.

Volume 3: Mapping of Panhandling Activity (PDF file - 10.2MB, 76 pages)
This volume presents the results of field observation of panhandling activity in central Winnipeg. It focuses on the mapping of panhandling locations and panhandling methods, including distribution of panhandlers throughout the study area, priority or high traffic locations for panhandling activity, and proximity to “sensitive services.” The types of panhandling methods used, and the distribution and frequency of occurrences of different methods was also recorded and mapped.

Volume 4: Interviews with Panhandlers (PDF file - 403K, 83 pages)

If you have any comments or questions about the report, please direct them to Tom Carter at t.carter@uwinnipeg.ca or you may contact him by phone at (204)982-1148.

Source:
Journal articles, research reports ===> See also : * Research Highlights * Background and Resource Documents * Community Briefs
[Institute of Urban Studies (University of Winnipeg)]

Also from the Institute for Urban Studies:

Twelve recent reports on panhandling (special focus on Winnipeg)
Click the link above to access 20 reports of the Canada Research Chair in Urban Change and Adaptation at the Institute of Urban Studies (University of Winnipeg).
The titles of the 12 most recent reports appear below; click the link above to access these studies and more...
* Why Panhandlers are on the Streets of North American Cities (June 2007)
* Who Panhandles in Winnipeg? (June 2007)
* Panhandling in Winnipeg Project: Mapping Methodology (June 2007)
* Location of Panhandling Activity in Winnipeg (June 2007)
* Panhandling Alone or in Groups: What is the Approach in Winnipeg? (June 2007)
* When Panhandlers are Active in Downtown Winnipeg (June 2007)
* Different Groups' Perception of Panhandling in Winnipeg (June 2007)
* Legislative Approaches to Panhandling (June 2007)
* Program Approaches to Panhandling (July 2007)
* Housing Circumstances of Panhandlers in Winnipeg (July 2007)
* Does Panhandling Provide a Living (July 2007)
* Why do Panhandlers Panhandle in Winnipeg? (September 2007)

Source:
Publications / Research Highlights
[ Journal articles, research reports ] ===> See also : Background and Resource Documents * Community Briefs
[ Canada Research Chair in Urban Change and Adaptation ]
[ Institute of Urban Studies, University of Winnipeg ]

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Aboriginal People in Manitoba (872K, 101 pages)
April 2006
The information contained in this publication is intended to:
* Serve as a resource for policy makers
* Provide general information for those who want to learn about Aboriginal Manitobans
* Provide factual information to aid in eliminating misinformation and stereotypes
* Provide baseline information for measuring program results.
Aboriginal People in Manitoba was produced by Service Canada in co-operation with the Province of Manitoba.
Source:
Service Canada

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Service Canada Regional Information:
Manitoba
This page provides information on region-specific services for Individuals, Business and Organizations.
Services include: Jobs * Financial Benefits * Employment Insurance * Taxes * Training and Careers * Identification Cards * Travel and Passports * Health * Consumer Information * Canada and the World * Environment and Resources * Economy * Public Safety * Culture and Recreation * Science and Technology.
Source:
Service Canada
Human Resources and Social Development Canada

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Manitoba Office - CCPA
- Publications
Related Link:
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) - National Office
"The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social and economic justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. By combining solid research with extensive outreach, we work to enrich democratic dialogue and ensure Canadians know there are workable solutions to the issues we face. "

Recent reports:

Panhandling should not be criminalized, says study
Press Release
September 20, 2007
Restrictions on peaceful panhandling—such as City of Winnipeg Bylaw No. 128/2005—constitute an illegitimate use of state power, says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The study, by Arthur Schafer, director of the Centre for Professional and Applied Ethics at the University of Manitoba, says there is no moral or legal justification for turning peaceful beggars into criminals.

Complete report:

The Expressive Liberty of Beggars:
Why it matters to them, and to us (PDF file - 282K, 28 pages)

Report on the Manitoba Economy: 2007
September 13, 2007

FastFacts: Manitoba's Minimum Wage? Be Realistic! - PDF file - 32K, 2 pages)
August 4, 2005
"A job at $10.00 per hour, with benefits and opportunities for advancement, would draw many into the labour force. Such jobs provide dignity and respect. A wage of $7.25 does not. Nor does it make economic sense."

In for the Long Haul: Women’s Organizations in Manitoba - PDF File - 199 K, 24 pages)
August 16, 2005
"Just as women in Manitoba have done for decades past, feminist and women’s organizing for cultural, economic, political, and social change continues unabated. Indeed, many of the issues remain the same as during the second wave women’s movement. Although there may not be a province-wide group mobilizing women under one banner, this study has demonstrated that there is a substantial amount of activity taking place across a wide range of issues emanating from diverse perspectives and experiences."

FastFacts: Let’s Make a (New) Deal
September 2, 2005
"Just a year ago, Ottawa geared up its official propaganda machine to praise NAFTA’s 15-year record at stimulating trade and boosting efficiency (seemingly oblivious to the almost weekly headlines bemoaning Canada’s poor productivity performance). Now, quickly, most Canadians (even in official circles) acknowledge the painful truth: this trade deal is a dud."

Source:
Manitoba Office Publications (CCPA)

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"There are No Banks Here"
Financial & Insurance Exclusion in Winnipeg's North End (PDF file - 276K, 56 pages)
by Jerry Buckland & Bruce Guenther with Georgi
Boichey, Heather Geddie & Maryanne Mutch
September 2005
"Financial exclusion is a matter of growing concern in Canada considering the decline in the number of mainstream bank branches in some inner-cities and the concurrent rise in the number of fringe banks. This study reports on results from a survey of residents from Winnipeg's North End, a low-income area of the city. The study seeks to understand resident's experiences with financial and insurance services: which ones they use, which ones are important to them and how accessible the services are. As a follow-up to research completed in 2002-2003 in the North End this survey asked questions about a greater number of services (banks, fringe banks, informal financial services and insurance services and financial support services) in a semi-random fashion to a broader range of respondents (low- and middle-income).
Source:
Publications (links to 18 studies and reports)
[ Winnipeg Inner City Research Alliance (WIRA) ]
[ Institute of Urban Studies, University of Winnipeg ]

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Nodice Elections: Manitoba
http://www.nodice.ca/elections/manitoba
Source:
Nodice Elections
Related Links:
- Go to the Political Parties and Elections Links in Canada (Provinces and Territories) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/politics_prov_terr.htm

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Surviving on Hope is not Enough:
Women's Health, Poverty, Justice and Income Support in Manitoba
May 28, 2004
Executive Summary
" Women are more likely to live in poverty than men. Women with disabilities, Aboriginal women, and single mothers have higher rates of poverty. Women who live in poverty have poorer physical and mental health than those with higher incomes."
Complete report (PDF file - 725K, 56 pages)

Policy-Related PWHCE Projects
- incl. links to research in the following areas:
Aboriginal Women's Health - Health Reform and Policy - Immigrant / Refugee Women's Health - Informal Caregivers' Health - Lesbian Health - Literature Reviews - Women, Poverty and Health - Older Women's Health - Rural Women's Health - Women's Mental Health - Women, Violence and Abuse - Women-centred Health Programs and Services

Source:
Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence (PWHCE)
Related Links:
Centres of Excellence for Women's Health (Health Canada)
- "The Women’s Health Contribution Program supports policy research and education on women’s health issues. Managed by the Women's Health Bureau, Health Canada, the Program is a partnership between community and academic researchers."
Women's Health Bureau
[ Health Canada Online ]

Also from PWHCE:

Women and Social Assistance Policy in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
May 2005
By Josephine Savarese, Department of Justice Studies, University of Regina and
Bonnie Morton, Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry
"The Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence (PWHCE) Research Program on Poverty and Women's Health has supported several studies that examine the links between public policy, women's poverty and women's health. In 2003, PWHCE initiated three research projects designed to examine income assistance policies in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and their effects on women's health. Reports from two of these projects were published in 2004: Don't We Count As People: Saskatchewan Social Welfare Policy and Women's Health and Surviving on Hope is Not Enough: Women's Health, Poverty, Justice and Income Support in Manitoba. These two studies were based on several focus groups held in each province and were designed to bring forward the voices and perspectives of those most directly affected by income assistance policies. As Wharf and MacKenzie have noted, 'the knowledge and experience gap between those who make policy and those who must live with the consequences is enormous.' The research helps bridge that gap by providing an important critique of income assistance policies from the perspectives of women living on welfare. The women's descriptions of their experiences reveal the inadequacy of income assistance benefits and the harmful effects on their physical and emotional health."

Complete report (PDF file - 927K, 62 pages)
NOTE: the complete report includes both studies noted above.

Including Low-Income Women with Children:
Program and Policy Directions (PDF file - 596K, 57 pages)
Research Report
September 2007
By Lynn Scruby and Rachel Rapaport Beck

Overview of the report (HTML)
"(...) This qualitative research project draws on principles from feminist and participatory action research methodology. A total of nine focus group interviews were conducted at four Family Resource Centres (FRCs) located in two urban communities in Winnipeg and two rural communities in Eastern Manitoba. Fifty-six low-income women and 29 FRC service providers participated in these interviews..."

List of PWHCE publications by subject
- including : Aboriginal Women's Health * Gender and Health Planning * Health Reform and Policy * Immigrant/Refugee Women's Health * Informal Caregivers' Health * Lesbian Health * Literature Reviews * Women, Poverty and Health * Older Women's Health * Rural Women's Health * Women's Mental Health * Women, Violence and Abuse * Women-Centred Health Programs and Services

Related links:

Including Low-Income women with Children: Program and Policy Directions
September 12, 2007
This report examines information on the issues that affect the health and well-being of low-income women with children, their families and the communities in which they live as well as several of the key policy implications of these findings and recommendations for action.
Source:
WinnipegFirst.ca - Your first source for Winnipeg news

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Just Income Coalition - Increase Manitoba's Minimum Wage Now!
"The Just Income Coalition was developed in the fall of 2002 to promote economic justice for low-income individuals and families in Manitoba by addressing the issue of inadequate minimum wage levels. The Coalition consists of representatives from a variety social service, community, Aboriginal, labour and faith based organizations."
- incl. links to : News - Take Action - Just Income Facts - Coalition Partners - Other Organizations - Contact Info
Online Petition [Manitoba residents only...]

Just Income Facts - a dozen articles and reports about minimum wages, with a special focus on Manitoba, from groups including Canadian Policy Research Networks, the Manitoba office of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Manitoba Federation of Labour, etc.
Here's a recent sample:
Why Increase the Minimum Wage?
April 2003
"This article from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-Manitoba discusses the social benefits of a strong minimum wage, and debunks myths about the effects on the business community."
Working for Low Pay (PDF file - 954K, 24 pages)
February 2003
"In this presentation to Alberta Human Resources and Employment, CPRN’s President, Judith Maxwell, explores the dimensions and consequences of low-wage work, and examines where responsibility might lie for measures designed to make work pay"

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Child Care Coalition of Manitoba
"The Child Care Coalition of Manitoba (est. 1993) is a broadly-based and unincorporated coalition of groups and individuals. The Coalition currently has nearly 50 group memberships. Our members include parents, the labour movement, women's groups, the childcare community, educators and researchers and organizations committed to social justice, among others."

Child care sector has huge economic and social impact for Winnipeg: Time for action, say leading Winnipeggers
News Alert
May 20, 2004
Winnipeg Project
"Child care is an essential element in urban infra-structure. Yet, childcare in Winnipeg is characterized by serious inequities: some neighourhoods have much worse access and service than others."

Complete report:

Time for Action:
An Economic and Social Analysis of Childcare in Winnipeg (PDF file - 2.1MB, 38 pages)
May 2004