Executive Summary & Recommendations
a Summary of UNPAC (Manitoba)
Workshop Findings, Spring 2007 —

Compilation of Workshop Proceedings

Summary of Revenue Suggestions

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Women & the Manitoba Budget

Women in Manitoba recognize that the provincial budget impacts their lives in significant ways. From determining money available for subsidized housing programs to social assistance rates, post-secondary education costs, availability of childcare, quality of health services and tax rates; how the provincial government allocates and collects funds is evident in numerous ways in the day-to-day lives of Manitoba women.

At the same time, most Manitoba women lack opportunities to voice their budget priorities to elected leaders. UNPAC’s workshops on women and the provincial budget offer women an opportunity to learn about the budget process, share their budget priorities, and voice their concerns to decision-makers.

Women have different life experiences than men as well as different societal roles and responsibilities. Much of this difference is as a result of women’s work of bearing and raising children. As such, budgets impact women differently. Women are over half the population and want and deserve a budget that works for them. A budget that ensures women are full and vibrant members of society will make life better for all Manitobans.

Through our workshops we learned that women across the province face similar challenges and have the same hopes for their lives. Poverty — of both time and money — is a fact of life for many Manitoba women. Women stress the health and well-being of families and communities as their highest priority. In describing how they make difficult decisions in their household budgets, women say: “We always put our children before ourselves.” While women advocate dealing with short-term needs, they always do so in light of long-term implications. Women want a provincial budget that recognizes these same priorities and ensures that all people have their basic needs met and are able to participate fully in their communities.

Women express strong support for many government-funded programs. In particular Friendship Centres, resource centres (including for women, families, seniors, and people living with disabilities), women’s shelters, Baby & Me Best Beginnings, Family/Baby First and Head Start programs were mentioned by women in all communities we visited. These programs provide valuable support for women’s daily physical needs; they also alleviate women’s isolation. While women have challenges to government on the delivery of services, they also recognize that the programs and services that government funds and delivers are essential to the well-being of Manitoba families and communities.

The following is a summary of the key issues, concerns, and suggestions expressed by women in diverse communities around Manitoba through our workshops on the Manitoba Provincial Budget. Click on these links to read more:

Executive Summary

1.  Housing, Housing, Housing
2.  Childcare
3.  Public Transportation
4.  Employment, Work, and Income
5.  Health
6.  Intersectionality
7.  Government and Government-funded Programs
8.  Government Revenue
9.  Participatory Democracy
10.  Recommendations

 

1. Housing, Housing, Housing

The need for quality, low-cost, safe rental housing is a critical budget priority for Manitoba women. This tremendous need is raised repeatedly in all regions; it is usually the first priority mentioned. Many women are currently living in, or have in the past lived in, homes that are unsafe, overcrowded or otherwise inadequate. “Invisible homelessness” is a fact of life for many. It is not uncommon, particularly in Northern Manitoba, to find three or four families living together in one house. One woman explains: “I am a single mother and have been living with my parents for many years because I haven’t been able to afford the rent of houses or apartments. I have tried to get into Manitoba Housing but the waiting list is long and some of the houses don’t seem adequate or safe.”

The lack of sufficient social housing is a particular challenge for women leaving abusive relationships; some women “choose” to live with abuse because there is no other place to go. For those who have taken the courageous step to leave, not being able to find a home is a devastating reality that interrupts their ability to get on with their lives. We have spoken with women who spent many weeks in a shelter while waiting for a place become available, their children unable to attend school.

Women recognize that high rent and unstable, unsafe housing leads to a multitude of other problems. Without a home, it is difficult, if not impossible, to tackle life’s other challenges. As one participant put it, “If everyone had a decent, safe place to live that they could afford, all the rest would fall into place.” When women spend a disproportionate amount of their income on housing, they are unable to afford healthy food, thermostats are set uncomfortably low, there is no money for extras, stress levels increase, children experience lack of stability, health deteriorates and women and families remain poor.

2. Childcare

The need for quality, accessible, affordable childcare is another budget priority for Manitoba women. Women’s most critical concerns around childcare are high costs and lack of spaces. Many women tell us their children are on waiting lists that are months or even years long. Other childcare issues include: limited hours of operation, lack of flexibility in scheduling (particularly for parents doing shift work), challenges getting kids to and from daycare, low salaries of childcare providers, cost of lunch programs (parents who are unable to afford lunches need to pick up their kids mid-day, take them home to feed them, and then bring them back, which creates scheduling havoc), the need for childcare in secondary and post-secondary schools, the need for more daycares at workplaces, the need for more care for children with special needs, and inadequate funding which leads to a lack of consistency particularly in rural communities. Innovative ideas for improving childcare include daycare cooperatives that run on the barter system, buses for childcare, and subsidized heating for daycare centres. In rural communities church basements offer good daycare space but heating costs are often prohibitive.

3. Public Transportation

Lack of affordable transportation options is also raised repeatedly as a budget priority by Manitoba women, especially those living in rural and northern communities. “Everything is harder without a vehicle”. Many smaller communities have no transit system. Those systems that do exist offer limited hours, limited routes, and infrequent service. Cost is also a barrier for those with limited incomes. Women tell stories of walking long distances, sometimes in dangerously low temperatures, in order to take children to daycare or school because they can’t afford a cab. Safety and the threat of violence is another concern for women walking, especially in communities where violence, including gang violence, is common.

Lack of options and the high cost of transportation exacerbates women’s time poverty; single mothers in particular talk of the hours of time it takes to walk everywhere, especially with small children in tow. Travel hindrances also increase women’s and family’s feelings of isolation. This is particularly true for seniors, women living with disabilities, and parents of young children. One woman told us: “Sometimes the kids stay home from school because we don’t have any bus tickets.” Women suggest taxi slips and free transit passes for families to get to medical appointments, school, and daycare, as well as to less urgent but just as important places like family resource centres or for visiting family and friends.

Big box stores — rising rapidly in towns across the province — offer bargains for cash-strapped parents as well as employment opportunities for those with limited formal education. But the location of these stores, and frequently other essential services such as libraries, on the outskirts of towns without transit systems, creates daily challenges.

4. Employment, Work, and Income

Low wages are a major concern for women throughout the province. Too many Manitoba women find themselves in minimum wage or other low-paying jobs which are frequently part-time and precarious. This forces women to take on two or more jobs in order to provide for their families. The unpredictability of hours and pay for part-time and casual work creates additional stress within the family, less quality family time and exhaustion. Women recognize that higher wages lead to a greater tax base and therefore higher revenues for government. Immigrant and non-immigrant women alike repeatedly recommend a more streamlined process of recognizing foreign credentials, including hands-on training programs, so that immigrants are able to be involved in the paid work force quickly. Pay equity remains a need for women across the board.

Women are also concerned about a lack of employment options, particularly in rural and northern communities. In one community we heard that there are “only six kinds of jobs for women.” In rural and northern communities women’s jobs tend to fall in one of two categories: minimum wage jobs at pizza places or big box stores, or professional jobs which are often within the health field. Women suggest decentralizing government services in order to provide more accessible services and to create more good jobs for women in smaller communities. Investments in employment and training programs that lead to stable and well-paying jobs make good sense. Women in rural and northern areas want more programs in their areas and flexibility in programs for which they need to travel. However, some women see training programs as a waste of time, energy and money when there are no jobs down the line, or when graduates end up in low-paying fields. Women in farm communities want more support for small farms so that families can remain on their land and can earn a living from farming.

A more flexible and fairer workplace will also increase women’s participation in the workforce. Women wish for more family-friendly workplaces including childcare centres at workplaces and flexible hours. A sick child can create huge stress for parents, usually mothers, with inflexible schedules. Many women suggest a four-day work week which will better accommodate the numerous other demands on their time. Women with disabilities talk about being forced into contract work and self-employment because they need flexibility and because many workplaces remain inaccessible. This work tends to be less stable, lower paying and is frequently without benefits. Women feel strongly that their involvement in the labour market will mean healthier families and communities overall.

Much of women’s work is unpaid. “Being a mom is an important job.” Women know they are the glue that holds families and communities together and yet the lack of recognition of their unpaid work frequently means that they are unable to participate fully in the society they serve. Many women experience a deep disconnect between the work they do in a day and the income they receive. Single mothers experience the crunch of income and time most acutely; many women suggest a government program or subsidy that offers respite days for single mothers. Many senior women are de facto babysitters for their grandchildren filling in the gaps in the childcare system. In later years their daughters offer home care to their parents when other services aren’t available. Women suggest the need for more government services to alleviate the burdens of unpaid work as well as financial support for full-time caregivers.

Social assistance, which is meant to provide for those unable to participate in the paid labour market such as people with disabilities and single parents of young children, does not provide enough for the basic necessities of life. Some have labelled the system “One step forward, two steps back.” In order to perform their responsibilities adequately, all women need an adequate income. This includes income from paid work. Women talk of the disincentives to paid work when getting a pay cheque means a drop in income and a lack of access to subsidized services such as housing and dental care. They suggest a more flexible and longer transition period. Senior women find themselves paying the price for a lifetime of low wages and unpaid work when pensions are inadequate.

5. Health

Many of women’s health concerns relate to the need for a greater focus on prevention. In particular women raise many issues around nutrition and food security. Women note that while controls are set on alcohol prices, this is not the case for food basics. Women express dismay at the disconnect between what they hear about prevention and the systems that make a preventative approach difficult or impossible. For example, senior women say they receive constant messages about the need for healthy eating yet many seniors’ income is inadequate for nutritious food. We heard stories of seniors checking themselves into hospitals in order to receive proper meals as well as depression and falls resulting from poor nutrition. The need for fitness and recreation services, particularly for seniors, is also discussed. Many note that the health care budget will be reduced if women have their basic needs met, including access to a safe place to live.

Lack of physicians is also a concern for women, particularly in rural and northern communities. Many rural and northern women talk of the time and money it takes to travel to Winnipeg for appointments. Women wonder if technology (i.e. video conferencing) can be better used, especially for visits with specialists but also for professional development for staff. A woman working in the health field in northern Manitoba talked of how disruptive trips to Winnipeg are to her family. A woman in The Pas suggested a coordinator who would oversee all aspects of non-emergency medical travel from the north.

Women, in particular senior women and women with low-incomes, recommend that dental and eye care be covered as a medical expense. Women also want nurse practitioners and midwives available across Manitoba. They believe that these services would reduce overall health budgets and improve quality of services.

The lack of adequate mental health services, particularly counselling, is mentioned by women in many communities. Women recognize the value of counselling for healing and to prevent larger problems. This includes marriage and family therapy, counselling for children who have experienced domestic violence and services for young women experiencing eating disorders. Some women find it impossible to find a counsellor, others have waited many months for services, others can’t afford continued service. Seniors and women living with disabilities, in particular, frequently live very isolated lives. Government programs could offer recreation and peer support to prevent more serious mental health problems from developing.

6. Intersectionality

Many women talk about the intersection of the challenges they face and how one gap compounds another. Inadequate incomes force women to take money out of their food budgets for rent, which leaves them without enough food, which creates sickness. Training programs are good but if women don’t have childcare, they’re unable to benefit from them.

Many of women’s inequalities result from the intersections of stigmas and discrimination including racism, classism, sexism, and abilism (discrimination based on ability). For women who experience a number of these different realities on a daily basis, these obstacles can be nearly impossible to overcome. In the words of one woman, “Racism doesn’t touch you as hard if you have a decent income.” Aboriginal women face particular challenges based on a legacy of colonization; these barriers are not solved in one-off programs but require an integrated, long-term, and culturally-appropriate approach.

Violence against women crosses all boundaries and interrupts women’s abilities to move forward in any other aspect of their lives. Women want government programs that recognize intersections of policies and practice and work to create long-term solutions.

7. Government and Government-Funded Programs

While women have concerns about the delivery of some government programs, at the same time they recognize that these programs are the backbone of a healthy society. In one northern community women talked about a community health centre that was thoughtfully located near a bus stop and provided services at accessible hours. Adult Learning Centres are mentioned by women in every community as places that provide a range of services such as ESL and literacy classes as well as quality, caring staff; the attention women receive is key to helping them overcome barriers in their lives. Women in Thompson spoke of the importance of the University College of the North and the University of Manitoba programs available in their community such as the Faculty of Social Work.

Women speak of the need for stable long-term funding for government programs; long waiting lists are mentioned frequently. There were particular concerns around the inadequacy and inaccessibility of Legal Aid. Women also stress the need to integrate teachings and practice of empowerment into the delivery of all programming in order that women have the skills and confidence to benefit over the long-term. The LEAP program, offered at the YWCA in Thompson, was mentioned as a good example of this practice. A number of women suggested mentorship programs as good ways of supporting women such as new immigrants, single parents, and girls at risk.

Women, in particular women who are vulnerable because of race, age, geography and ability, frequently mention that many of their peers are unaware of the services that do exist. Community resource centres are essential to ensuring that all people in a community are able to access the programs available to them. One woman said: “If Government creates a program, it should be their responsibility to deliver, not seniors’ responsibility to find it.” Immigrant women wonder why information about the services available in Manitoba isn’t available to them immediately upon arrival — or even before they leave their home countries. Women in rural Manitoba spend many hours on the road to reach services. Women living with disabilities request a government-funded assistive devices program which would pay for technology to help them fully participate in society.

While women are grateful for programs and services that do exist, they also express frustration at the delivery of some government programs, in particular social assistance. We repeatedly hear women say they receive different answers from different people as to what is eligible and what is not. One woman suggested there should be “sensitivity training for workers who act like recipients are taking the worker’s own personal money.” Some women would like to see government educate the public about the realities of life on social assistance. Women also ask that the stigma and racism that often comes as part of the delivery of services, be eliminated. Women are frustrated at the time and energy it takes to advocate for one’s self and one’s community.

Women have good ideas for better delivery of government programs. A government one-stop shop “where you only have to tell your story once” could integrate a range of government services under one roof and help address concerns about the lack of integration of services. Standardized or generic forms to apply for benefits and services would alleviate the shame and hassle of long applications. A government liaison person who works cross-departmentally could ensure there is neither duplication of services nor a gap in services. Many women express frustration at falling through the cracks between programs. Others wonder why some government programs work against each other: “What one level of government gives, the other one takes away.”

Women are concerned that many government-funded services are run on the back of overworked and underpaid non-profit agencies and/or volunteers. Women say that in many cases staff and volunteers are working so hard to keep up with the regular demand that no one has any energy for new initiatives. This is particularly true in smaller communities which rely heavily on volunteer work. Older women talk of the time-crunch they experience as they try to meet the demands of all their volunteer work. They also wonder who will carry the load when they are gone.

8. Government Revenue

Women don’t just have ideas for government spending. As budgeting experts, they know the money has to come from somewhere. Women’s revenue ideas tend to be focused on two areas: greater taxation and a realignment of government priorities. Women suggest a range of tax measures including higher corporate taxes, higher personal income taxes especially for high earners, more tax brackets, new and higher luxury and sin taxes (i.e. a tax on junk food) and green taxes. Women are consistently shocked at how little government revenue comes from corporate taxes. Women appreciate tax credits but stress that they must be refundable in order to benefit the very poorest of our society: those who pay little or no taxes.

At the same time, women feel government priorities need to be refocused on providing essential services for citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable. Women feel that a focus on prevention across the board will cost less in the long run. For example, many women talk about the costly justice system and suggest a move to restorative justice as more efficient and effective. Women also know that higher incomes will lead to a higher tax base and thus recommend higher wages and programs to make workplaces accessible to all women including women living with disabilities and immigrant women.

9. Participatory Democracy

The feedback we have received from our workshops has been overwhelmingly positive suggesting that women greatly value the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences. Women understand budgets and what it means to balance priorities. Our workshops offer them a safe and participatory environment in which to voice their concerns. One participant said, “I had no idea people were interested in what we had to say.” At the close of our workshops, many participants choose to write letters to their MLAs voicing their budget concerns. Others express interest in attending Minister Selinger’s public budget consultations. One workshop participant wrote an article about the workshop for her community newspaper, and in preparation took time to read the entire budget speech. All women say they will not look at or hear about the budget the same way again: instead of thinking it has nothing to do with them, they will pay attention, recognizing that it has a major impact on their lives.

Women want to be more involved in the provincial budget process. As one woman said: “The workshop helped me understand the changes we women can make in the budget.” Another said: “J’ai appris que ma voix peut être entendre et peut changer quelque chose.” Women recognize that their lives are integrally connected to budget decisions and thus they have a right and responsibility both to voice their concerns and to have them met. As one participant said, “Every woman should know about the provincial budget. I had no clue. Now I know more and am confident to mention it to others.”