Reporting to Manitobans on Performance – 2005 Discussion Document
200-386 Broadway Ave
Winnipeg, MB  R3C 3R6

October 31, 2005.

Dear Minister Selinger,

We are writing to respond to your request for feedback on the recent Reporting to Manitobans on Performance — 2005 Discussion Document. Thank you for sharing this information with us and for soliciting our feedback.

As an organization committed to women’s equality, development, and peace we have a particular interest in the realities of women in our province. Our aim is to work for increased equality for Manitoba women who are overrepresented among those living in poverty. Particular groups of women including single mothers, senior women, Aboriginal women, women living with disabilities, and immigrant women experience poverty much more frequently and deeply.

Overall we did not find that the report adequately dealt with how the provincial government has addressed the various issues surrounding women’s economic inequality. While there was some mention of women’s particular situation, most of the data was gender-neutral. This lack of gender disaggregated data makes it hard to determine the impact on women, including particular groups of women, and whether or not your government’s performance has reduced the equality gap. Although our understanding of equality is much broader than simply financial, without sufficient money women’s ability to take advantage of opportunities offered is compromised.

The comparisons to the Canadian situation are misleading at times. For example, the emphasis on the fact that Manitobans experience slightly lower rates of core housing need than the rest of Canada does not acknowledge that nearly 15% of the Manitoba population does not have adequate housing, an alarmingly high number. Although our situation may be slightly less stark than the situation of others in Canada this does not address the very real needs of women we met in a woman’s shelter in The Pas who cannot find a place to live for themselves and their children or the many families who live 3 or even 4 families to a home because they cannot find housing. The reality of women who use their food budgets to cover rents is also silenced.

In terms of income of Manitobans our particular concern is whether or not income gaps are growing, remaining stagnant, or reducing. Are your government’s policies creating more equality or are they, such as the minimum wage increases, simply reinforcing the status quo?

We found that the structural issues that lead to poverty and inequality such as lack of affordable housing and childcare were not sufficiently addressed. The focus on healthy babies and children, for example, neglects the poverty of their parents. Poor kids have poor parents, usually their moms. What, beyond the Child Tax Benefit, is being done to address the poverty of families?

Finally although your government has brought in many interesting new programs such as the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, this neglects the investment deficit in existing, less ad-friendly programs such as social assistance, disability benefits, and housing.

In conclusion we invite your government to take a public stand to incorporate a gender lens in all aspects of government policy and programming including budgets. Not only do women deserve more equality but a society in which women experience true equality will be better for all Manitobans both economically and socially.

Thank you for your attention. We wish you all the best in your continued work on behalf of Manitobans.

Sincerely,

(via e-mail)
Jennifer deGroot, Project Coordinator and
Muriel Smith, Chairperson for the UN Platform for Action Committee (UNPAC)
60 Maryland Street
Winnipeg, MB R3G 1K7