Poverty in SightA Winnipeg Perspective

Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

A message from the Chair, Board of Trustees

Some of my most memorable conversations, with friends…family…neighbours…have taken place at the kitchen table. Invariably, I come away with new perspective, insight and respect for other opinions.

At United Way we’ve learned the value of a good conversation too. That’s what Urban Exchange is all about.

Two years ago we asked Winnipeggers to tell us what issues mattered most. The response, almost overwhelmingly, was that poverty was a pressing concern.

The dialogue has since continued, starting with our latest survey, Poverty: Insight and Ideas and its subsequent report, Poverty in Sight.

On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank the more than 2800 Winnipeggers who chose Urban Exchange as a forum to express their concerns and opinions on this important issue.

I hope, like United Way of Winnipeg, you’ll use Poverty in Sight to continue the conversation about ways we can address poverty, individually and as a community.

We look forward to hearing more from you in our upcoming exchanges that will bring new perspective and insight to the issues you’ve brought to the table.

And for those who have yet to participate, let’s talk.

Allan FineblitChair, Board of Trustees

United Way of Winnipeg

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1About the Survey

Urban Exchange is a dynamic, two-way conversation between Winnipeggers and United Way. Everyone is welcome to participate. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to contribute thoughts and ideas that help make Winnipeg a better city for all of us.

In previous Urban Exchange surveys, Winnipeggers identified poverty as one of their top priorities. In our third Urban Exchange survey Poverty: Insight & Ideas, we wanted to find out what Winnipeggers thought—what do we believe causes poverty, where does it exist, and who does it affect?

The responses were varied and it’s interesting to see how different people perceive this complex issue. We hope the information gathered in this survey broadens understanding and encourages further conversation about poverty in Winnipeg—what it means and how we might address it. The responses collected will be sent out to panelists, decision makers and other community members to help inform them what people are saying about poverty in Winnipeg.

Poverty: Insight & Ideas was developed over a two-month period in consultation with the Urban Exchange Working Group, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Institute of Urban Studies, Red River College, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council, and the Department of Family Services and Housing.

One of our goals was to ensure as many voices as possible were reflected in this survery. The survey was available in paper and online versions and in both French and English. It was also published in the Winnipeg Free Press and Canstar Community News publications.

Poverty: Insight & Ideas was sent directly to 1540 Urban Exchange panellists, and specific groups including provincial civil servants in Winnipeg and Cambrian Credit Union employees.

We also reached out to 14 community members who received training to gather face-to-face responses. These interviewers received a total of 456 responses from individuals within their respective communities.

Urban Exchange volunteers and staff also distributed the survey to United Way agency partners including: Age and Opportunity, New Life Ministries, The Family Centre of Winnipeg, The Family Centre’s Plessis Road Resource Centre, Independent Living Resource Centre, West Central Women’s Resource Centre and SEED Winnipeg. The University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg also received copies.

Poverty is multidimensional. There can be social and economic poverty.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

The inability to live a life without worry; or having to decide between one necessity and another because both cannot be paid for.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

In the five weeks Poverty: Insight & Ideas remained open, a total of

2854 people shared their opinions. As the following demographic

section shows, participants came from all age groups, income brackets

and all areas of the city. They identified as being from many cultural

and educational backgrounds.

2 Look Who’s Talking

3

2Look Who’s Talking

Gender

Twice as many women responded to the survey than men. Future surveys will pay close attention to targeting male respondents to ensure a more even distribution.

33.5%

66.5%Female

Male

Age

There was good distribution of age among respondents, with 25 to 34-year-olds comprising the largest group at 21% of the sample. The lowest representation was in the 75+ category with 3.4% of the sample.

We’ve provided a comparison of overall distribution of age categories throughout Winnipeg. The chart below compares age distribution of Urban Exchange respondents to Winnipeg’s general population.

15-17

3.6%

5.0%

18.0%

12.1%

20.7%

15.9%

18.3%

17.8%18.8%18.9%

12.8%13.4%

8.1%

3.4%

8.7%

4.4%

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-75 75+

Urban Exchange Winnipeg (2006 Census)

Neighbourhood

3.5%Rural

14.5%Northwest

20.7%*

27.9%Southwest

24.7%*

21.8%Southeast

17.2%*

22.2%Central

20.6%*

* Portion of all Winnipeggers living in this area (2006 Census)

10.0%Northeast

16.8%*

The sample includes 3.5% representation of those living in rural areas, close to the city, whose work and social activities take place largely within Winnipeg. This segment provides a unique and important perspective as they can compare the city with the surrounding communities they know so well.

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2 Look Who’s Talking

Income

Education

Urban Exchange Winnipeg (2006 Census)

Urban Exchange Winnipeg (2006 Census)

<$20,000

20.2%

15.6%

20.7%

22.8%

19.5%19.4%

14.2%15.0%

10.9%

10.3%

14.5%

16.8%

$20,000-$39,999

$40,000-$59,999

$60,000-$79,999

$80,000-$99,999

$100,000+

Some gra

de or high sc

hool

High school d

iploma or e

quivalent

Some post-

seco

ndary

Completed post-

seco

ndary

Some post-

graduate

Completed post-

graduate

11.3%

14.6%

21.9%

34.2%

6.2%

11.8%11.3%

23.2%

36.5%

28.3%

52.2%

48.6%

Post-secondary certification

High school diploma or equivalent

Some grade or high school

People in the “some grade or high school” category were underrepresented. People in the higher education categories were slightly overrepresented. The most frequent response to the highest level of education was “completed post-secondary” which will set the sample apart from the general population.

We can’t directly compare our sample to the general population because Statistics Canada collects education data in broader categories. By collapsing some of our categories we can compare with Statistics Canada 2006 Census data.

The median household income range of Poverty: Insight & Ideas respondents was $40 000 - $59 999. This falls in line with the 2006 Census which reports a median household income for Winnipeg of $51 314. This distribution represents an improvement over previous Urban Exchange surveys, ensuring a diverse cross-section of viewpoints.

Urban Exchange is slightly underrepresented in respondents in the $100 000+ income range as well as the $20 000 - $39 999 range. There is a slight overrepresentation by a margin of 4.6% in respondents from the lowest income category (less than $20 000).

It’s noteworthy that 40.9% of respondents came from households with incomes of less than $40 000 (with 20.2% reporting household incomes of less than $20 000), a demographic that is often underrepresented in research situations.

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2Look Who’s Talking

Culture

Newcomers

6.1% 3.6%Urban Exchange

2006 Census

11.8%Aboriginal Caucasian

4.8%Western Europe

4.0%East Asia/ Pacific

3.9%Did not respond

48.3%Other10.6%

Eastern Europe

5.4%

The 2006 Census only asked people if they are Aboriginal and whether or not they are a visible minority, whereas, Urban Exchange allowed respondents to freely identify cultural background. We’re able to create a comparison by grouping our data in analogous categories.

The 2006 Census indicates that 10% of the Census Metropolitan Area of Winnipeg is Aboriginal. In total, 11.8% of United Way’s poverty survey respondents identified as Aboriginal.

Urban Exchange Winnipeg (2006 Census)11.8%

10%

0.2% 0.3%

3.9%

8.9%

2.7%2.1%

2.9%2.2%

2.7%

5.4%

Aboriginal Middle EastCentral/ East Asia/

Pacific

AfricaSouth Asia Latin America

Welcome Place, a United Way agency partner that provides services that help refugees transition to life in Winnipeg, has observed a higher incidence of poverty in this segment of our society.

Refugees get social assistance only within the first year of arrival in Canada. The majority of our clients are struggling to acquire English so they can find a job and provide for their families. Others are very educated but have difficulties getting accreditation so can’t work in their chosen field.”

We asked: In the past three (3) years, did you move to Canada for the first time?

As you can see, just over 6% of the 93.9% of respondents who answered this question indicated they were new to Canada in the past 3 years. Only 3.5% of the 2006 Census respondents were newcomers, and the census considers a newcomer as anyone having migrated to Canada within the last 5 years.

Canadian11.2%

— Wanda Yamomoto, Manager of Volunteer Services, Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, Inc.

It is a never ending cycle with a huge impact on future generations.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

Not being able to feed your family quality food (not junk or fast food), not being able to have a warm home, decent clothes, shoes for yourself or your children. Not having pride in knowing that you can take care of your own needs or those of your family. Not feeling safe.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

3 Perceptions of Poverty in Winnipeg

There were some common and expected themes in

response to our first open ended question, What is poverty?

Some defined poverty as not having an income or a job

while others defined it as those who are working but don’t

make a sufficient income. Some definitions focused on

economic conditions while others took into account social

conditions as well or instead. As the chart on the following

page indicates, the most frequent response cited lack of

basic necessities and income. However, lack of education, living below a

standard, social exclusion and the inability to care for one’s family were

also common.

We asked: In your

opinion, what is

poverty?

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3Perceptions of Poverty in Winnipeg

We asked: In your opinion, what is poverty?

Lack of basic necessities

Not enough money/low income

Inability to care for family

Living below standard/poverty line

Lack of education/skills

Social exclusion/community situation/lack of hope

Limited resources

Lack of jobs/opportunities

Lack of health care

Struggling to survive/being poor/lack of security

Living on assistance

Inequality

Other

36.7%

14.0%

7.9%

6.5%

5.6%

5.6%

4.3%

3.9%

3.4%

2.6%

2.3%

0.4%

6.8%

Absolute and Relative Poverty

Absolute Poverty is defined as an inability to meet the basic physical needs for survival.

For example: A household budget that is sufficient only to allow the securing of food from a charitable group or food bank, shelter at a local hostel, second-hand clothing, and access to basic health care in most communities. Source: The Fraser Institute

Relative Poverty takes into account how well the “mainstream” of the community is doing.

For example: Someone may be just able to fulfill their basic needs, but still may be poor if the majority of their neighbours have a great deal more resources and opportunities.Source: Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries

Would you say your definition of poverty is based on relative poverty, absolute poverty or both?

In my opinion poverty should be classified in 2 ways: Absolute and Relative Poverty. Absolute poverty is the level of poverty at which people are too poor to afford enough food, water, clothes and other needs in order to secure their basic survival. Relative poverty is the level of poverty which places an individual in a position of disadvantage in society. This could be in the case of education or good healthcare.”

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3 Perceptions of Poverty in Winnipeg

We’ve highlighted some of the most significant differences in how age groups defined poverty. For a full breakdown, give us a call or visit www.MyCityMySay.ca

Perception of poverty based on age

Lack of basic necessities

Not enough money/low income

Social exclusion/community situation/lack of hope

Lack of job opportunities

Older respondents were most likely to define poverty in terms of social situation or community connection having the highest response in the “social exclusion/community situation/lack of hope.” Respondents 75+ were also most likely to define poverty as a lack of job opportunities. The opposite is true of the youngest respondents who defined poverty in more material and economic terms, having the highest response in “lack of basic necessities,” and “not enough money/low income.”

15-17

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

43.1%

35.1%

20.5%

2.5%

2.9%

38.7%

14.8%

4.6%

4.7%

37.7%

13.0%

5.6%

3.3%

36.6%

12.0%

6.0%

4.4%

34.9%

10.2%

7.9%

4.2%

32.8%

13.7%

9.8%

2.0%

26.4%

12.9%

10.7%

7.9%

22.3%

0.8%

3.8%

Living in poor housing, not having enough nutritious food to stay healthy, not having a social support system.”

Why do you think respondents 75 years-old or more have a different perception of poverty than other generations?

If poverty is about more than a lack of money, what is the opposite of poverty?

Definition of poverty: age breakdown

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3Perceptions of Poverty in Winnipeg

Perception of poverty based on gender

Lack of basic necessities

Not enough money/ low income

Inability to care for family

Living below standard/poverty line

Lack of education/skills

Social exclusion/community situation/lack of hope

Limited resources

Lack of jobs/ opportunities

Lack of health care

Struggling to survive/ being poor/lack of security

Living on assistance

Inequality

Other

Female Male

37.9%

13.2%

8.5%

5.9%

5.4%

5.1%

4.8%

3.8%

3.7%

2.8%

2.7%

0.4%

5.8%

33.6%

16.1%

6.5%

7.2%

5.7%

6.6%

3.5%

4.3%

3.1%

2.0%

2.1%

0.6%

8.6%

In this survey females were more likely to define poverty as a lack of necessities and males more likely to define poverty as living below a standard or poverty line, and lack of jobs or opportunities. Males were also more likely to define poverty as social exclusion, lack of hope or community situation.

Poverty is when people struggle to survive day to day and do not know where their next meal is coming from and how they are going to find an income to support

themselves. It’s not just the homeless who are poor.”

Definition of poverty: gender breakdown

In our second open-ended question, we asked respondents to think

about causes of poverty, an important question because it broadens our

understanding of potential root causes and can help develop strategies

aimed at prevention in the future.

The most frequently cited cause of poverty was lack

of education, lack of skills and language barriers.

Out of the 4496 causes given, 1171 (26%) fell into

this category.

Where limited access to resources fundamentaly changes the quality of life you live and your expectations for your future.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

The lack of resources, whether financial or otherwise, that allow for a comfortable life.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

4 What Causes Poverty?

We asked: In your opinion, what are some

of the most significant

things that lead to poverty in

Winnipeg?

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4What Causes Poverty?

Addictions and poverty

The second most cited cause of poverty was addiction. While the two factors may be related, neither the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) nor Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) believe poverty results from addiction. CCSA suggests the opposite may be true, contending that poverty is a source of vulnerability for addiction.

We asked: In your opinion, what are some of the most significant things that lead to poverty in Winnipeg?

Lack of education/skills/language barrier

Addiction

Lack of opportunities/employment

Broken family situation

Racism/discrimination

Lack of awareness/access to resources

Low wage/high cost of living

Physical/mental disability/illness

Lack of support/welfare/injustice

Social issues/circumstances

Choice/lack of personal initiative

Recession/losing job

Other

26.0%

13.9%

26.0%

12.8%

7.0%

5.6%

5.8%

5.0%

4.6%

4.0%

3.7%

3.0%

2.5%

5.9%

Is it more important to focus on prevention or addressing the effects of the issue once it has happened?

We asked this question on our last survey. Check out the insert at the back of this report and compare your answers to what others have said.

Might the causes of poverty that are listed be also thought of as effects of poverty?

(

Over two thirds (77%) of respondents said their lives, or the life of

someone they know, had been affected by poverty.

Some interesting trends emerged when analyzing the response from

different age groups.

Respondents 15 to 17 years-old were most likely

to say they had not been affected by poverty.

As the chart below indicates, this is consistent

with the indication that they believe their own

neighbourhood was not at all affected by

poverty.

The tendency to say lives had been affected by

poverty then increases with age until the 55-

64 year old category at which point it steadily

declines.

The oldest demographic (75+) were the second most likely to say their

lives had not been affected by poverty (35.9%).

5 Who Does Poverty Affect?

[Poverty is] the root from which other societal issues flow.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

It amazes me that a country like Canada has children starving. We seem to be able to solve the problems in third world countries and yet not our own.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

We asked: Has your life, or the life of

someone you know, ever

been affected by poverty?

13

5Who Does Poverty Affect?

yesno

We asked: Has your life, or the life of someone you know, ever been affected by poverty?

77.1%

22.9%

Yes No

15-17

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

51.3%

67.8%

78.7%

82.0%

83.7%

81.6%

71.7%

64.1% 35.9%

28.3%

18.4%

16.3%

18%

21.3%

32.2%

48.7%

In severe cases — starving, no education, no medical care. Less severe cases — not having nice things, living from paycheque to paycheque.”

The inability to have any voice or influence in matters which impinge on your life either materially or socially or both.”

Out of 2854 respondents, 2198 said they had felt the effects of poverty.

While people born in the 30s or earlier and people born in the 90s answered this question similarly, what different factors might have influenced their opinions?

Affected by poverty: age breakdown

6 Poverty: A Closer LookWe asked respondents to rate the seriousness of poverty in Winnipeg

as a whole. They were also asked to think about how serious the issue

of poverty is in their own neighbourhood.

The vast majority (79.8%) indicated poverty in

Winnipeg is at least quite serious. However,

75.8% of respondents felt poverty in their own

neighborhood was either not at all or only

somewhat serious.

People living here who are in constant need of food and daily necessities, not having enough to make it through the month having to use foodbanks, drop in centre etc. Young people who cannot get assistance to help with education so remain in low-paying jobs and running short all the time. The elderly who are on very low fixed incomes who also run short by the end of the month.”

— Urban Exchange Panellist

I don’t see anybody poor in Winnipeg.” — Urban Exchange Panellist

We asked: How serious is poverty in

Winnipeg? How serious is

poverty in your neighbourhood?

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6Poverty: A Closer Look

People are oblivious to poverty in Winnipeg because they usually don’t see it in their neighbourhood, but it is there.” (female aged 18-24)

Poverty is not only in the core areas it’s all over the city.” (female aged 25-34)

Poverty in Winnipeg can be beaten with knowledge, understanding, compassion, and education.” (female aged 35-44)

[We need] more choices for people in poverty to stand on their own two feet.” (female aged 35-44)

We need to improve the transport system to remove poverty. We need to improve the employment opportunities and educational facilities.” (male aged 25-34)

We asked: How serious is poverty in Winnipeg? How serious is poverty in your neighbourhood?

Quite serious

Very serious

1.9%

42.7%

18.4%

33.0%

30.2%

10.0%

37.2%

9.8%

12.4%

4.4%

The most serious issue

facing the community

Not at all serious

Somewhat serious

Winnipeg

Neighbourhood

Poverty is the cause of car theft, most other theft and other poor choices. If we can eliminate poverty we can eliminate many other serious issues facing the community.” (female aged 25-34)

What factors do you think influence the differences in perceptions of poverty in Winnipeg as a whole versus specific neighbourhoods?

Almost 80% of respondents said that poverty in Winnipeg is at least quite serious (see the chart below). When asked about poverty in their own neighbourhoods, less than 25% of respondents chose the same categories.

Central Winnipeg respondents

All respondents

14.3%4.4%

The most serious issue facing the community

24.3%

Very serious

9.8%

Quite serious

18.6%10.0%

11.5%

Not at all serious

42.7%

Somewhat serious

31.3%33.0%

This trend was consistent among participants from all regions in Winnipeg, except for the Central region. Almost 60% of the participants from this area said that poverty is at least quite serious. More than 14% ranked it as the most serious issue in their neighbourhood.

Seriousness of poverty in Winnipeg and neighbourhood

Seriousness of poverty in your neighbourhood: central region vs. all respondents

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More Insight7The people who partcipated in this exchange shared a wide range of

definitions, thoughts and experiences related to poverty. Poverty is clearly

an issue felt around the city — one that transcends neighbourhood,

gender, age, income, education and culture. Of more than 2800 people who

responded, 77% said their life, or the life of someone they know, has been

affected by poverty.

Let’s keep the discussion going. The more we learn and share, the better

equipped we are to help reduce poverty in Winnipeg. Visit MyCityMySay.ca

to explore interactive graphs highlighting information from this latest

exchange. Then continue to have your say on poverty and other important

issues through regular web polls, comments and future exchange

opportunities.

Poverty resources

There are a number of groups and resources already working to respond to immediate needs and implement strategies to prevent poverty from happening in the first place.

The province of Manitoba’s poverty reduction plan entitled ALL Aboard outlines several indicators that will be used to measure poverty reduction in Winnipeg and throughout the province. www.gov.mb.ca/fs/allaboard/index.html

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives also released a plan outlining different measures for poverty reduction and suggested goals and timelines for achievement. www.policyalternatives.ca

Make Poverty History is a national campaign with local and regional groups. It upholds the belief that

“If we choose - if we have the will to act - we can make poverty history.” It calls for policy change to achieve more and better aid, trade justice, cancel the debt, and end child poverty in Canada. www.MakePovertyHistory.ca

The Social Planning Council of Winnipeg acts as a bridge between government and the community by identifying and promoting awareness of social issues, human service needs and community resources; developing policies and program options; improving the delivery of social services; and supporting neighbourhood initiatives. www.spcw.mb.ca

The Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council believes in a city where everyone is valued, and wants to ensure all Winnipeggers have the opportunity to realize their potential. Its mission is to significantly reduce poverty in Winnipeg in hopes of creating

“A City Where Everyone Belongs.” www.wprc.ca

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Section Header goes here #

A huge thank you to the more than 2800 people who took time

to think about these issues and share their opinions through

Poverty: Insight & Ideas.

We’d also like to acknowledge the following organizations who

helped get the survey into so many Winnipeggers’ hands:

The Aboriginal Centre

Age and Opportunity

Cambrian Credit Union

Canstar

CBC Radio Canada

CBC Television (French)

CJOB

The Government of Manitoba

Independent Living Resource Centre

New Life Ministries

Plessis Road Resource Centre

Red River College

SEED Winnipeg

Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

Taking Charge of Opportunities

University of Manitoba

University of Winnipeg

West Central Women’s Resource Centre

Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Labour Council

Winnipeg Sun

Thank You!

Is your voice reflected here? Please join the Urban Exchange panel and have your say! Go to www.MyCityMySay.ca for details.

For more information, please contact the Manager of Urban Exchange United Way of WinnipegPhone 477 5360 | Email Urban.Exchange@UnitedWayWinnipeg.mb.ca Web www.MyCityMySay.ca