United Way commends province for new measures to reduce poverty

May 22, 2009 | Community News | Archive 2009

United Way of Winnipeg is thrilled with a new provincial strategy to reduce poverty, announced May 21, 2009. Dubbed ALL Aboard, the new strategy has four priorities: to create more affordable housing, strengthen training and income supports, enhance child development, and ease access to coordinated services and programs.

ALL Aboard is made possible by an annual investment by the province of more than $744 million - including $212 million in new money - and will be driven by strong partnerships in the community.

"With an unsettled economy, which can unexpectedly imperil any family, we must co-ordinate the way we tackle the roots of poverty for the good of all Manitobans," said Manitoba's Finance Minister Greg Selinger when he announced the strategy with Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh.

Among the organizations acting in conjunction with ALL Aboard is the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council. United Way of Winnipeg is founder of, and provides office space and technical assistance to the council.

"Poverty is everyone's responsibility," said Susan Lewis, United Way of Winnipeg's President and CEO. "Without strong partnerships, and participation from all sectors, we will never reach our shared goal of reducing poverty."

Allan Fineblit, incoming Chair of United Way's 2009-10 Board of Trustees agreed: "We commend the province for taking this comprehensive and collaborative approach; particularly for their foresight in establishing indicators that will give everyone a clear picture of our progress as a community."

To measure progress on poverty reduction, a set of key indicators will be tracked and reported annually. The province will consult on the proposed strategy with a view to concluding a series of measures that are expected to be reported in 2010-11.

United Way of Winnipeg looks forward to working with the province and others to reduce poverty and create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our city and province.

A message to Winnipeg about United Way's campaign Janury 5, 2012