Published November 24, 2015 19:54
Source http://www.chrisd.ca/2015/11/24/manitoba-child-family-poverty-report-2015/#.Vli0nF7N525
A new report sounds the alarm on Manitoba’s critical child poverty rate — the second highest in Canada.
The Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Card shows one in 3.5 children in the province live in poverty.
“Poverty is the major barrier preventing far too many children in our country from reaching their true potential. Children are our future,” said Ron Brown, president and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg.
The report also shows 62 percent of children living in single-parent families live in poverty, which is 15 percent higher than the national rate.
“It is vitally important that Canada seize the opportunity to lay out a solid framework to eradicate poverty,” added Dr. Sid Frankel, professor of social work at the University of Manitoba.
Frankel says a strategy needs to be developed with provincial and territorial governments, aboriginal governments and organizations, non-governmental organizations and people living in poverty.
“It must include poverty reduction targets as well as clear timelines for government to remain accountable for progress. In addition, the commitment to poverty reduction must be secured in legislation.”
The report also called on the Manitoba and federal governments to make specific child poverty targets and boost the minimum wage to $15 an hour.