Manitoba graded D- in efforts to reduce poverty: Food Banks Canada report

A new report has given Manitoba a near-failing grade on its efforts to reduce poverty this year, and the opposition Progressive Conservatives seized the opportunity to ask the NDP government to explain why the province is falling short.

In its "Poverty Food Banks Report Cards" report, released last week, Food Banks Canada gave Manitoba an overall D-minus when it comes to alleviating poverty in the province, which is down from the C-minus it got last year.

The report grades provinces and territories based on how they compare with each other on experiences of poverty, measurements of poverty, a standard of living, and government progress on passing anti-poverty legislation.

It says one in four Manitobans face difficulties with putting food on the table, up from one in five in 2023. Compared to 2023, every province except Quebec got a lower grade in that category this year.

It also states that 42 per cent of the people who use Manitoba food banks are children, despite making up just a quarter of the population, and that one in five visitors to food banks in the province come from single-parent families.

"Manitoba was one of the better graded provinces in 2023, but it has since declined," it says.

Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada, says most Canadian regions scored the same as Manitoba, and the report shows that people are struggling to make ends meet across the country while governments are not stepping up to take the action needed.

"This isn't a report card you'd want to bring home to your parents," she told host Marcy Markusa in a Monday interview with CBC Manitoba's Information Radio.

The report says Manitoba's failing grade on housing affordability is consistent with what's being seen across the country, excluding P.E.I., but remains "particularly striking" as the province has led the way on affordable housing thanks to its rent assistance program.

It's understandable that Manitoba's NDP government needs time to get settled, the report says, but adds that "the clock is ticking" as many in the province struggle with unprecedented poverty rates and food insecurity.

It suggests that Manitoba introduce a poverty reduction strategy for all, with a focus on single people and Indigenous people. It also recommends the province establish a $100-million annual program, modelled after the B.C. Builds program, in order to drop housing costs.

Progressive Conservative health critic Kathleen Cook brought up the report in Monday's question period.

"What grade did the NDP get on poverty measures? An F. What about access to health-care services? An F. Food insecurity in Manitoba, an F. [Manitobans] spending over 30 per cent of income on housing, an F," she said.

Cook also says the consumer price index for Manitoba shows food and shelter costs have risen since the NDP took office last October.