Pathways to a Better Future: Manitoba's Poverty Reduction Strategy

APPENDIX 1: FULL LIST OF CURRENT AND FUTURE INITIATIVES BY PRIORITY AREA This appendix provides a list of Manitoba’s current and future initiatives related to poverty reduction, organized by the six priority areas. The list includes the key priorities highlighted in chapters 4 to 9. 1. Investing in Manitoba’s future prosperity through supports to children and youth Initiative Description The Manitoba government is working in partnership with Manitobans to fundamentally transform the child and family services Transforming (CFS) system to deliver better outcomes for children and youth. Child Welfare Proposed changes are focused on four pillars: community-based prevention; lifelong connections through reunification and permanence; funding for results; and legislation. In February 2018, the Manitoba government announced the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with the Government of Canada. As part of this agreement, nearly $47 million Early Learning will be invested from 2017/18 to 2019/20 to create a targeted 1,400 and Child Care new and newly funded child care spaces along with various other initiatives that are aimed at building and growing the early learning and child care system in Manitoba. This is in addition to the annual investments by the Manitoba government. The Abecedarian Approach is an evidence-based, early childhood intervention that focuses on language and literacy development, Abecedarian and is designed to improve the outcomes of vulnerable children. Approach The Manitoba government continues to work with Red River College and child care centres that serve a high proportion of vulnerable families to implement Abecedarian-Inspired Practice. Kindergarten to The Manitoba government is undertaking a comprehensive review Grade 12 Review of the Kindergarten to Grade12 education system. Futures Forward is a community-based program that provides career development supports and wrap-around services to help Futures Forward current and former youth-in-care transition to adulthood, further education and jobs. Healthy Schools The Healthy Schools Initiative supports all schools to promote Initiative wellbeing and good health among students. The Vital Statistics Agency is working with federal, provincial and municipal partners to increase the number of children in Manitoba Canada Learning accessing the Canada Learning Bond. The Canada Learning Bond is a Bond Program federal program that provides financial contributions to a Registered Education Savings Plan to help families save for their child’s education. The Inclusion Support Program provides additional financial support to licensed Early Learning and Child Care centres, nursery schools, Inclusion and family or group child care homes for services to address barriers. Support Program This allows a child with additional support needs to effectively participate in programming and activities. 66 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative Description Manitoba Education and Training staff will continue their work on developing Provincial Student an integrated provincial student information system that will greatly enhance a Information System student engagement process and allow for the monitoring of student attendance rates, potentially in real-time. The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education will work with Manitoba Education and Training on a variety of initiatives to improve the financial Financial Capabilities capabilities of Manitobans. The partnership will focus on five important target groups: youth, parents, newcomers to Manitoba, seniors, and Indigenous youth and communities. There is an interdisciplinary service pilot with the Child Protection Centre at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. This innovative approach ensures children and Children Protection youth in care receive appropriate, timely resources to support their development Centre Pilot and progress. Enhancing the Child Protection Centre’s assessment capacity allows child and family services agencies to make evidence-based case management plans that will enhance children’s safety and their quality of care. The Attendance Improvement Project is creating an interdepartmental process to support students who are chronically absent. School divisions identify students Attendance and work collaboratively with Manitoba Education and Training, Manitoba Justice, Improvement Project and Manitoba Families to develop an action plan to assist the family and student to reengage with school. Manitoba is seeking to address the legacy of colonialism impacting the educational success of Indigenous peoples of all ages. Examples of programming and initiatives to close the education gaps include: • Supporting school division programming through the Indigenous Academic Closing Education Gaps Achievement Grant to improve the academic success of Indigenous students. between Indigenous and • Funding the Building Student Success Indigenous Parents Program to enhance Non-Indigenous Students parental and community involvement in children’s education. • Providing education and training supports to Indigenous youth previously in contact with the child and family services system through a number of programs including the Advancing Futures Bursary, Building Futures, Youth in Care Tuition Waiver Post-Secondary Initiative, and Work2It. The Manitoba government provides financial assistance and program support The Northern Youth to youth-focused programs or projects in northern Manitoba through the Empowerment Initiative Northern Youth Empowerment Initiative. The Manitoba government provides grant funding to support Indigenous families Urban Development relocating to Winnipeg with resources such as employment assistance and Initiative programming for Indigenous youth to connect with cultural, social, personal and economic supports. The Manitoba government delivers funding to organizations such as Early Intervention Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre and Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata for early Programs for Youth intervention programs for youth. Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 67 2. Working together to improve health outcomes and standard of living Initiative Description Indexation of the The Manitoba government legislated indexing of the Basic Personal Basic Personal Amount Amount (BPA) and personal income tax brackets to the rate of inflation and Personal Income beginning in 2017. The BPA is a non-refundable tax credit that every Tax Brackets Manitoba resident is entitled to claim on their income tax return. In 2017, amendments were made to the Employment Standards Code Indexing to provide a consistent and predictable way of indexing the minimum Minimum Wage wage in Manitoba. The change in minimum wage is calculated through a predictable formula based on the rate of inflation. The health system in Manitoba is undergoing unprecedented change, Transforming driven by a commitment to improve the system and to make it more Manitoba’s patient-focused, operate more efficiently and ensure it is safe, Health System affordable and sustainable in the long term. In the spring of 2018, VIRGO Planning and Evaluation Consultants provided a report entitled “Improving Access and Coordination of Mental Health and Addictions Services: A Provincial Strategy for all Manitobans.” VIRGO’s report includes recommendations for improving access Mental Health and to and coordination of mental health and addictions services Addictions Strategy in Manitoba. The strategy report focuses on services across the lifespan for children, youth, adults and older adults. With the goal of transforming mental health and addiction services, the Manitoba government has begun to plan for the execution of the recommendations in the strategy. The Manitoba government provides support to the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM), which has recently expanded a number of services in response to continued demand for residential addiction Addictions Foundation treatment services. AFM has doubled the number of women’s treatment of Manitoba beds to 24 from 12 at their Portage Avenue site, AFM has also developed and implemented trauma-informed training modules for service providers, and provided webinars and other training for health professionals and the public on methamphetamine use and addiction. The Manitoba government supports the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, a charitable organization dedicated to helping school age Child Nutrition children learn, grow, and succeed by providing high-needs schools Council of Manitoba with grant funding for breakfast, snack, and lunch programs. Program support and training on such topics as menu planning, budgeting and healthy options are also provided. 68 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative Description Healthy Food in Schools is a Manitoba government initiative that supports schools to promote healthy eating, provide access to affordable healthy food and foster positive school food environments. Healthy Food Through a partnership with Dietitians of Canada, a registered dietician in Schools is able to provide one-on-one support to schools to implement healthy eating policies and guidelines, provide expertise in menu planning and improve healthy eating environments. Rent Assist supports low-income Manitobans to rent in the private Rent Assist market. Manitoba Housing, in partnership with private, non-profit and cooperative housing organizations, supports the construction of Promoting affordable rental housing. Affordable Housing The Manitoba government is encouraged by the federal government’s ongoing engagement in housing and its plans for new initiatives, commencing in 2018/19. The Manitoba government supports a number of initiatives to reduce homelessness and prevent Manitobans from becoming homeless. Homelessness These include emergency shelters, Housing First programs, eviction prevention, and End Homelessness Winnipeg. My Health Teams are virtual networks of providers that collaborate to deliver comprehensive primary care services to patients based on community needs. Examples of services include chronic disease My Health Teams management, mental health, health education and rehabilitation support. These teams are connected through innovative partnerships between regional health authorities, fee-for-service clinics and community organizations. In May 2018, the Manitoba government announced the development of five Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics across Rapid Access to Manitoba. The first RAAM clinic opened at Winnipeg’s Crisis Response Addictions Medicine Centre in August 2018, and the second opened at the Addiction Foundation of Manitoba’s River Point Centre in September 2018. The other clinics are in Thompson, Brandon and Selkirk. Manitoba’s Pharmacare program is accessible to all Manitobans Pharmacare with a deductible based on total family income. Manitoba Finance assists with and participates in tax preparation Community Volunteer clinics organized by the Canada Revenue Agency, called the Income Tax Program Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Manitoba Justice funds two safe space locations in Winnipeg. These sites provide 24-hour supports for youth in need of safe space. 24-Hour Safe Spaces Supportive staff help to address the underlying issues and work collaboratively with social service systems, agencies and supports involved with the youth. Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 69 Initiative Description Affordable Food in Remote Manitoba is a retail subsidy that reduces the price of milk, infant formula, fresh vegetables and fresh fruits in Promoting Affordable remote northern communities (rail or fly-in access only) that do not and Healthy Foods receive the federal Nutrition North Canada subsidy. Participating stores are required to pass on the full subsidy to the customer. The Northern Healthy Foods Initiative (NHFI), a Manitoba government program, supports local and regional projects that Northern Healthy contribute to the development of culturally relevant, healthy food Foods Initiative systems, while improving health and well-being. NHFI goals are to increase food security efforts at the community level and strengthen community-led development. Asylum seekers often experience income insecurity and limited access to affordable housing. Manitoba provides funding for asylum seekers Supports for to access temporary shelter in Winnipeg, as well as settlement and Asylum Seekers integration services including community resources, health and wellness supports, legal advice, and other supports 3. Promoting economic inclusion through employment, education and training Initiative Description The Refugee Employment Development Initiative integrates refugee job seekers facing multiple barriers into Manitoba workplaces. Refugees Employment In a safe, supportive learning environment, participants receive Development Initiative occupation-specific essential skills development, technical, and English language training. Community Living disABILITY Services (CLDS) has adopted an Employment First framework where community employment is the primary expected goal for working age adults with an intellectual Employment First disability. Over the next several years, CLDS services will work towards supporting and realizing this goal by integrating more employment focused services and supports into current programming. The departments of Families and Education and Training are Supporting Employment working together to transform programs and supports for employable for Employment and Manitobans to assist them in transitioning from social assistance Income Assistance Clients into the workforce. The Manitoba government continues to place high priority on Reducing Red Tape regulatory accountability and red tape reduction. A number of in Employment and initiatives are underway to simplify and modernize program delivery Income Assistance and reduce red tape, including the development of a simplified EIA application form and a new online application process. 70 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative Description Jobs on Market is a rapid re-employment service model in Winnipeg. A number of services are being provided on site, such as job leads, resume development, and other employment assistance services. Jobs on Market Plans are underway for the expansion of the Jobs on Market model to include similar services throughout the province to EIA clients identified as ready to engage in employment planning. New funding through the Canada-Manitoba labour market transfer agreements will help individuals with complex barriers to employment, including those receiving EIA, access specialized programs to develop Labour Market their skills for employment. Funding will also help adults with Transfer Agreements disabilities to find and maintain employment and support refugees with low language benchmarks and other barriers to workforce integration to join the labour market. ACCESS programs help low-income students participate in post- ACCESS Program secondary education. Revitalizing the program will provide more opportunities and better outcomes for students. The Manitoba Student Aid Program continues to ensure accessible and sustainable post-secondary education for low-income students through enhanced support for students in need, including obtaining financial aid more quickly. Manitoba Student Aid The Manitoba government is reducing red tape, streamlining the application process, and exploring self-serve applications to improve access to student financial assistance and decrease administrative requirements. Manitoba Scholarship Manitoba Education and Training will be pursuing a series of and Bursary Initiative enhancements to the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative. Effective for the 2018/19 academic year, the Manitoba Bursary received an additional $2.7 million investment to provide more Manitoba Bursary upfront grant support to low-income postsecondary students. Investments in 2018/19 include a $1,500 top-up grant for eligible low-income Indigenous students. Manitoba is exploring a new service response designed to support New Service Response newcomers wishing to improve their English language proficiency. to Support Newcomer By supporting learners assessed at the Canadian Language Benchmark English Language 5 – 8 level, this initiative would be intended to assist newcomers to Proficiency move into sustainable employment and/or further training. Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 71 Initiative Description Education, training and workforce development are cross cutting themes across departments. Under Manitoba’s Economic Growth Action Plan, Manitoba Education and Training is leading the Skills, Knowledge and development of a Skills, Knowledge and Talent Strategy which will Talent Strategy support the post-secondary education system, develop partnerships to improve job creation and retention, and align student outcomes to Manitoba’s evolving labour market. The Responsible Reintegration Initiative supports offender Responsible reintegration into the community while reducing recidivism, Reintegration improving public safety and providing a supported transition Initiative from custody to community. Manitoba Start is a nationally-recognized best practice for welcoming newcomers. It provides comprehensive career development and job matching services that support successful labour market integration Manitoba Start of newcomers in Manitoba. Through its centralized registration system, newcomers are also registered to receive orientation to living in Manitoba and referred to first-point-of-contact settlement agencies and other support services as needed. This program provides financial counselling and flexible, low-interest loans to skilled immigrants seeking the necessary qualification recognition and/or training to work in their professions in Manitoba. Recognition Counts These unique, character-based loans require no equity and are available up to a maximum of $10,000. Loan recipients can apply the funds toward eligible costs. Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is the main tool for nominating skilled economic immigrants to meet Manitoba’s labour and economic development needs. Through partnerships with post- Manitoba Provincial secondary institutions, industry, and employers, the MPNP renewal will Nominee Program – facilitate better career paths that lead to stronger labour market Renewal outcomes for new immigrants in Manitoba. Revenue generated from MPNP applications is reinvested in programming and resources to support settlement and integration of all newcomers and their families. 72 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy 4. Facilitating partnerships and supporting community-based organizations Initiative Description Community Manitoba is home to several community mobilization models Mobilization Models addressing community safety and well-being. The Community Schools Program supports the capacity of schools Community as hubs within communities to strategically mobilize and deploy Schools Program school-community resources that attain better outcomes for students, families and neighbourhoods. Look North is a movement by northerners, for northerners to grow the economy in northern Manitoba. The Look North Report and Action Plan (released October 2017) outlines six priority areas with the greatest potential to grow the northern economy: mining and other resource development; strategic infrastructure investment; housing challenges Look North and opportunities; enterprise eco-system of support; Indigenous engagement and partnerships; and, education, training and workforce development. The Look North Steering Committee is responding to each of these priority areas through a combination of short-term actions and long-term initiatives designed to increase economic prosperity and reduce poverty. Manitoba is working towards building on its single window grant intake to support thriving communities by: • being client-focused, streamlined and reducing the administrative burden Grant Funding • recognizing the diversity of Manitoba communities and encouraging partnerships and collaboration • broadening the reach of grant programming to communities and organizations that have not previously been funded, and improving alignment of grant funding with provincial regional and municipal priorities and plans The Manitoba Status of Women Secretariat continues to support vulnerable and at-risk women, their children and men who are Family Violence experiencing family violence by providing funding and program and Prevention Program administrative support to 33 community-based agencies delivering family violence prevention and intervention programs and services across Manitoba. The Building Student Success with Indigenous Parents Grant was established to better support schools in building trusting relationships Building Student with Indigenous parents and enhancing their involvement in their Success with children’s education. The current grant places an emphasis on Indigenous Parents establishing safe, welcoming school environments and positive home-school communication. Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 73 Initiative Description Manitoba provides annual core funding to the Manitoba Association of Friendship Centres, an incorporated not-for-profit corporation. Friendship Centres improve the quality of life for Indigenous people in Manitoba Association urban communities through participation and access to programs, of Friendship Centres services and supports in many areas. Friendship Centres help to meet the needs of Indigenous communities by providing information, counselling, referral to housing, literacy, employment and social services along with cultural and recreation activities. Manitoba provides annual core funding to the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg (ACW), an advocacy and leadership entity operating in Winnipeg. The ACW has been instrumental in creating a cohesive and Aboriginal Council effective network of Indigenous support services that provide a broad of Winnipeg array of services for urban Indigenous peoples. The ACW advocates on behalf of Indigenous citizens and organizations. This is done by voicing concerns, issues and priorities of the ACW membership and the broader urban Indigenous community to all levels of government. The Manitoba government will be providing up to $225,000 over three years to the Winnipeg Foundation to support provincial participation in the annual Endow Manitoba 24-Hour Giving Challenge. Established in Endow Manitoba 2014, Endow Manitoba’s 24-Hour Giving Challenge is administered by 24-Hour the Winnipeg Foundation, providing incentives for rural community Giving Challenge foundations to build their primary fund. The goal of the challenge is to raise general awareness of community foundations as a way for Manitobans to support their community. 5. Strengthening client-centred service delivery Initiative Description Truth and Reconciliation Commission call to action #57 calls upon all levels of government to provide education to public servants on the Professional history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of Development residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of and Training for Indigenous Peoples, Treaty and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law and Public Servants Indigenous-Crown relations. The Manitoba government is committed to providing training to civil servants at all levels through various methods. The Manitoba government is advancing reconciliation by fostering mutually respectful relationships between the Crown and Indigenous The Path to peoples. The government is committed to working and engaging with Reconciliation Act Indigenous nations and peoples to inform a Reconciliation Strategy. Each year, the government reports on its progress towards reconciliation through The Path to Reconciliation Act Annual Progress Report. The minister of Indigenous and northern relations will lead our government’s participation in the development of a Reconciliation Reconciliation Strategy Strategy. The strategy will build upon meaningful engagement with Indigenous nations and peoples. 74 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative Description The Manitoba government has a duty to consult in a meaningful way with First Nation, Métis, and other Indigenous communities when a government decision could affect their ability to exercise their Duty to Consult Indigenous or treaty rights. The government continues to work with Framework Indigenous communities and organizations on a Duty to Consult Framework for respectful and productive consultations and works jointly and cooperatively with First Nations. A curriculum committee, comprised of Manitoba government Developing Culturally representatives, the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, Appropriate Curricula Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, and elders, is meeting to strengthen social studies curriculum. The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA), that became law in 2013, provides a long-term, proactive approach to removing barriers that affect full participation and inclusion of Manitobans with Continue to Implement disabilities. The Manitoba government is working with private and the Accessibility for public sector organizations on developing standards to enhance Manitobans Act accessibility in key areas of daily living, including customer service, employment, information and communications, transportation and the built environment. As of November 2018, the Accessibility Standard for Customer Service requires Manitoba businesses and organizations with at least one employee to introduce policies and train staff on how to provide great Accessibility Standard customer service for everyone. For example, they must consider the for Customer Service communication needs of customers and clients, whether in person or in print. They must also welcome support persons, assistive devices such as wheelchairs, and service animals. The enactment in 2019 of the Accessibility Standard for Employment will assist people with disabilities by removing barriers to recruiting, hiring and retaining employees. Business will benefit through Accessibility Standard increased access to skilled employees including the growing number of for Employment seniors affected by disabilities. We will all benefit from the successful participation of jobseekers in our economy and the reduced reliance on publicly funded income supports. The Vital Statistics Agency is planning to reduce wait times to access Remove Barriers to birth certificates by creating online applications available seven days Accessing Identification a week, 24 hours a day. Manitoba Families has established a Supports for Independence Supports for Team to focus on supporting Employment and Income Assistance Independence Team participants to apply for additional federal and provincial benefits for which they may be eligible. Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 75 Initiative Description The Primary Caregiver Tax Credit provides recognition and financial support to individuals who serve as primary caregivers. This program is intended to help care recipients remain independent as long as possible. Care recipients may have cognitive, physical or behavioural Primary Caregiver barriers. They require assistance in completing personal care and home Tax Credit making activities and in using community resources, so that they can remain in the community longer. In 2018, the Manitoba government simplified the process for claiming the Primary Caregiver Tax Credit by making it easier for caregivers to access the credit and implementing a flat $1,400 annual credit available to all eligible caregivers. The Manitoba government engages and works in partnership with First Nation communities to develop a new mineral development protocol. The protocol will establish a clear pathway forward on Mineral Protocol mineral development to ensure Manitoba is informed of, and addresses, potential adverse effects to the exercise of Aboriginal and treaty rights. The Manitoba government provides advice and assistance to 29 entitlement First Nations, Canada and the Treaty Land Entitlement Land and Resources Committee to fulfill outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement obligations by transferring provincial Crown lands into reserve lands. The Manitoba government is piloting the new online Manitoba Manitoba Indigenous Indigenous Cultural Safety Training within the Winnipeg Regional Cultural Safety Training Health Authority. The training addresses the need for health care service providers to develop and deliver culturally safe care. The Southern Health – Santé Sud Regional Health Authority developed a Cultural Resources Kit that supports an ongoing relational process of Cultural Resources Kit inclusion, and building and maintaining trust, while providing parents, clients and residents access to traditional healing practices and ceremonies. The Manitoba government provides a series of four parenting booklets for First Nations and Métis families. The booklets were developed with Culturally Relevant care the advice of an Indigenous advisory group, including Indigenous for Indigenous Families community service providers and representatives, and include photos, stories and teachings contributed by First Nations and Métis people. The Manitoba government is working with Indigenous Languages Protecting Indigenous Manitoba, the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and languages the University College of the North to develop and offer special language credit options for Indigenous languages. Manitoba provides annual core funding to Manitoba Moon Voices Inc. (MMVI), an incorporated non-profit Indigenous Women’s organization. MMVI has three main priorities: missing and murdered Indigenous Manitoba Moon women; child welfare system; and governance and administration. Voices Inc. MMVI will ensure that there is a platform for issues and challenges faced by Indigenous women in Manitoba and that the voice of Indigenous women are heard. 76 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiative Description Gender and Manitoba Status of Women Secretariat (MSW) recognizes that women Diversity Analysis are disproportionately affected by poverty. The Gender and Diversity and Promoting Women Analysis online intranet course for employees of the Manitoba Civil in Underrepresented Service helps public servants apply a gendered lens to their work in Careers drafting policy for all Manitobans. Affordable, quality housing is central to the health, social and economic well-being of all of Manitoba Housing tenants. The goal is to promote safe, healthy communities that are inclusive and encourage Social Housing self-reliance and shared housing responsibility. The full implementation Rental Program of the modernized Social Housing Rental Program will ensure client- focused policies and procedures that create consistency and clarity for applicants, tenants and staff; reduce barriers in program access; and support equitable and efficient delivery throughout the province. In 2018/19 the Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) provides additional funding support to Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. Support for Indigenous- to move on to the next phase of their Indigenous-focused public Focused Campaign on awareness campaign on sexual violence. FVPP funded the first phase Sexual Violence of the campaign in early 2018, which included public awareness materials such as a video and posters. 6. Making positive change through social innovation Initiative Description Manitoba’s first Social Impact Bond (SIB) aims to improve outcomes of children and families through a collaborative effort between government, the Southern First Nation Network of Care (SFNNC) and Wiijii’idewag Ikwewag.. The Southern First Nations Network of Care (SFNNC) is delivering the landmark SIB in child welfare. SFNNC has Social Impact Bonds partnered with Wiijii’idewag Ikwewag to train Indigenous doulas to provide culturally appropriate services and supports to mothers at risk of coming into contact with the child welfare system. By having the doula work with the mother for up to a year, the goal is to prevent apprehensions and reduce the overall number of days that children spend in care. In 2016, Manitoba Hydro formed a Bill Affordability Working Group. The working group reviewed Manitoba Hydro’s existing energy efficiency programs and initiatives to identify potential enhancements along with Energy Efficiency and possible new program offerings or rate assistance programs to help Bill Affordability address bill affordability. Manitoba Hydro indicated that it would continue to implement many recommendations to assist lower income customers manage their energy bills through enhancements to the Affordable Energy Program and the Bill Management Program. Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 77 Initiative Description The Manitoba government is partnering with Clear Sky Connections, a First Nations owned and operated Internet provider, to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote communities. This service is key to unlocking the economic potential of the North, providing Manitoba communities the tools to maximize opportunities and generate economic growth. Broadband in the North Manitoba Hydro is providing in-kind support that will allow Clear Sky Connections to use existing fibre-optic cable network and related assets. Once completed, the broadband project will include 10-gigabit ethernet fibre connections that will provide 72 communities and 88 institutions with access to high-speed Internet services on par with southern urban areas. Thirty seven of these communities are First Nations; 18 are located in remote regions of northern Manitoba. The Manitoba government is partnering with North Forge Technology Exchange on the Manitoba Open Innovation Challenge to improve early childhood literacy and numeracy. The 24-month challenge was Manitoba Open launched in November 2016 with an open call to all Manitobans to Innovation Challenge share their innovative ideas. Diverse teams of judges selected three for Early Childhood of the most promising ideas for further development, testing and Literacy and Numeracy evaluation in communities. These community prototypes are designed to support vulnerable families by increasing access to quality, evidence-based services that improve early childhood literacy and numeracy. This is a partnership on a social innovation initiative between Red River College, NorWest Co-op Community Health, the Manitoba Science to Practice government, and the federal government to transfer the best of early to Play child development evidence to parents through integrated health equity teams. 78 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy

APPENDIX 2: CONSULTATION ON MANITOBA’S POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY Methodology The Manitoba government reached out to speak with Manitobans using various methods: • community conversations, primarily for persons with lived experience of poverty, facilitated by community-based organizations • community workshops for representatives of community-based organizations and other stakeholders, facilitated by government staff • an online survey, available in French and English • a call for written submissions The guiding questions for each consultation method are provided below. Community Facilitated Online Conversations Workshops Survey Access and Barriers Tell us how you (or your What do you see as the most How easy is it for persons in family) deal with living on pressing issues/needs for low income to access, supports, a low income? those living in poverty [i.e. goods and services? What are some of the issues that are most unique or What barriers do you think resources you use to help? important to the community/ those living in low income region]? may experience? Tell us about the challenges you face? What supports and services do you access most frequently? Pathways, Solutions and Priorities What are the most What are pathways to Which of the following important things reduce and/or prevent would you prioritize to (or solutions) that poverty (solutions, programs, make progress on poverty should be done to services, supports, and reduction? [Respondents reduce poverty? promising practices), that were provided a list of 16 government can focus on to items and asked to identify address these priority issues? five, and to list any others] What is working well to prevent, reduce or minimize the impacts of poverty in the community? Measuring Progress Describe what the How would you measure Describe what a good quality term “good quality of life” progress? of life means to you? means to you. What are some potential How will you know that targets and indicators? Manitoba is making progress on poverty reduction? Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 79 Consultation Participants Thirteen community conversations were held with more than 200 Manitobans. Participants included representatives of groups more likely to experience low income, including: • at-risk youth • single parents • newcomers • Employment and Income Assistance participants • people with disabilities • seniors • students • working poor The conversations were facilitated by community-based organizations. One conversation, hosted by Aboriginal Youth Opportunities, was open to the public at the Meet Me at the Bell Tower gathering in Winnipeg’s North End. Eleven community workshops were held with 178 representatives of community-based organizations, educators, health practitioners, advocates, faith-based organizations, businesses and governments. There were four workshops in Winnipeg, each with a specific focus: • disability • ethno-cultural communities • francophone organizations • Indigenous service providers The bilingual online survey received 1,564 responses, including 266 from those living with low income, 994 from other Manitobans, 245 from non-profit organizations with a general interest in poverty reduction, and 59 from representatives of non-profit organizations that directly serve low-income individuals. In addition to a government news release, the survey was promoted widely across government, by community organizations and to community-based networks. 80 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy A total of 24 submissions were received from individuals, in writing or by phone, in addition to 29 written submissions from organizations. The Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba provided a formal written submission, accompanied by an email campaign with submissions from 281 Manitobans (primarily from school divisions) who endorsed its recommendation. Five documents were submitted jointly. In addition, Make Poverty History Manitoba launched an email campaign, with submissions from 101 Manitobans. During the consultation process, Indigenous service providers and Indigenous participants stressed the importance of having Indigenous voices engaged and a recognition within the strategy that Indigenous poverty has a specific historic and cultural context. Of the 379 persons who attended in-person workshops, 80 participants self-identified as First Nations or Métis. Group Submissions 1. Basic Income Manitoba and Make Poverty History Manitoba 2. Community Financial Counselling Services, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, SMD Clearinghouse, SEED Winnipeg Inc. 3. Crossroads United Pastoral Charge (on behalf of community representatives from Carman) 4. R. Garmeh, V. Niemez, F. Siyawareva, Pre-MSW Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba 5. SEED Winnipeg Inc. and Social Planning Council of Winnipeg Organizational Submissions • Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (Flin Flon) • Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada • Basic Income Manitoba • Canadian Centre for Child Protection • Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives • Canadian CED Network, Manitoba Region • Canadian Mental Health Association (Central, Interlake, Manitoba and Winnipeg, Thompson) • Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy l 81 • City of Brandon Poverty Committee • Coalition for Healthy Aging Manitoba • Dieticians of Canada • Get Your Benefits • Make Poverty History Manitoba • Manitoba Association of Community Health Centres • Manitoba Child Care Association • Manitoba Teachers Society • Portage la Prairie School Division • Right to Housing • The Salvation Army • Sara Riel Inc. • St. Claude School Complex • United Way Winnipeg • West Central Women’s Resource Centre • West Grove Learning Centre • Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce • Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Population and Public Health • Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council • Winnipeg School Division • Women’s Health Clinic 82 l Pathways to a Better Future - Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy