New report paints discouraging picture of poverty in Winnipeg

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, World Vision and Citizens for Public Justice released a joint report, Poverty at Your Doorstep, featuring detailed snapshots of poverty in five Canadian cities. In Winnipeg, the research points to economic pressures that continue to grow for families living in poverty.

"World Vision is on the frontlines of poverty in nearly 100 countries, yet we can't ignore the situation in our own backyard. The gap between rich and poor is growing at an alarming rate and too many families are falling through this country's social safety nets. This report brings home the problem of poverty in Winnipeg where single parent families, Aboriginal families, and youth are struggling," says Hugh Brewster, World Vision's national manager of Canadian Programs.

"This report shows Canadians how much farther we need to go to end poverty. Citizens for Public Justice calls persistently for a life of dignity for all. An essential step in that direction is a federal poverty elimination plan that includes long-term solutions such as adequate housing, a fair taxation system and investment in social programs," says Joe Gunn, executive director of Citizens for Public Justice.

Poverty in Winnipeg

• Rising costs of living, especially for housing, are cutting deeply into family incomes.
• Poverty levels are still above those recorded before the 2008-09 recession, notably among lone parent families, Aboriginal peoples and youth.
• Renewed economic growth is helping to increase average family incomes, but significant disparities exist between the affluent and the poor.
• The child poverty rate rose from a low of 10 per cent in 2008 to 14 per cent in 2010, the third highest ranking among large cities, behind Vancouver and St. John's.
• The recession was particularly hard on single-parent families. The poverty rate for children living in single-parent families reached 40 per cent in 2010, nearly double the national average.
• Aboriginal peoples are dramatically overrepresented among the poor in Winnipeg.
  
  

Community outreach
Well known for international development and humanitarian relief efforts, World Vision also works with 80 partner organizations to help Canadian children living in poverty. In Winnipeg, World Vision funds a program at the North End Family Centre to help families gain parental and life skills to meet their goals.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is a national organization of members inspired by faith to seek justice in Canadian public policy. www.cpj.ca.

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

Interviews available:
For World Vision, contact Tiffany Baggetta (mobile: [phone]) or [email protected]
For Citizens for Public Justice, contact Sarah Shepherd (613-232-0275 x225) or [email protected]