Critics Wrong- Economy Strong

By Lynne Fernandez Although the 137 page fiscal update is much shorter on detail than a full budget would be, there are enough broad strokes to give us a bit of an economic picture. And that picture generated …

Investing in Social Enterprise to reduce poverty and green house gases

By Lynne Fernandez A new Errol Black Chair paper explains how a combination of governmental policies and initiatives in Manitoba allows social enterprises to reduce Manitoba’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while training and employing Inner City workers. The …

Gains are Being Made: The State of the Inner City Report 2015

By Jim Silver First published in the Winnipeg Free Press Dec 10, 2015 It has recently been claimed in the media that nothing is working in the fight against poverty. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ State of …

Bucking the Trend: Manitoba Defends Workers’ Pensions

Each day Canadian newspapers carry a version of the same story: working Canadians are not prepared for retirement. Statisticians and economists who look at the problem conclude that about half of middle-class baby boomers will experience a steep …

A living wage lifts workers and the economy

By Kirsten Bernas and Lynne Fernandez As of October 1st, minimum wage earners in Manitoba will earn $10.70 per hour – just over $20,800 annually. This leaves a family of four, with both parents working, with an income …

Seeds Planted for Green Economy in Manitoba

By Tony Clarke Last week, I was in Winnipeg and elsewhere in southern Manitoba for a roundtable and a series of field visits. Representing the Green Economy Network [GEN] — a national alliance of civil society organizations committed …

Broadening the scope of the debate on the Ukrainian crisis

By Dr. Ray Silvius During an announcement that Manitoba would provide $25,000 of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the form of first aid and medical supplies, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger stated “Manitobans stand in solidarity with our friends …

Manitoba Budget a Leap Forward for Poverty Reduction

By Lynne Fernandez and Molly McCracken By substantially raising EIA shelter rates and increasing child care spaces, new apprenticeship programs and support to social enterprises, the province is taking action to provide marginalized people with the assistance low …

Canada Jobs Grant does not work for Manitoba

By Molly McCracken Re: “Lets put the jobs-grant idea to work”, Winnipeg Free Press, January 17, 2014 The Canada Jobs Grant will not work for people who face barriers to employment, especially Aboriginal Manitobans. As Shauna Mackinnon wrote …

The Living Wage: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

By Lynne Fernandez Minimum-wage workers are not just teenagers working at fast-food restaurants after school. According to the Manitoba Federation of Labour, 55 per cent of minimum wage earners in Manitoba are adults twenty years and older; 51 …