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 the Inner City Report 2015: Drawing on Our Strengths, shows that this is not the case. Important poverty-related indicators are improving. After decades of decline, public investment in community-led initiatives is making a difference.
By Shauna MacKinnon
Appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press December 4th, 2015.
I teach in the department of Urban and Inner City Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Our program is located on Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg’s North End. A large number of our students have grown up poor. Some have not known anything but poverty. Others come from the suburbs to learn about urban and inner city issues from a different perspective. The diversity in our classrooms leads to some very interesting discussions.
By Evangel Ekine
As an international student in Canada, the stark difference in labour laws and provisions between Canada and my home country Nigeria embitters my heart. On a brighter side, my knowledge of these two contrasting realities has shaped my perspective. Studying the history of unions and their evolution in the Canadian workplace tells a story; a story of struggle, of determination spurred by an unflinching willpower to see change for better. One can boldly hope that with more activism and grass root participation, the laws and more importantly their implementation, even in Nigeria, can improve if modelled after the Canadian story. One reason could be the interlocking nature of social movements and how infectious a wind of change in one nation can spur a trend in others. By this logic, unions even in Nigeria can strategize on how to win more rights for their members and prospectively appeal to more non-unionized workers.
By Lynne Fernandez
Two interesting reports crossed my desk recently. The first one, a column by Dan Lett, appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press on November 18th. Lett explains why he is unconvinced by Brian Pallister’s position on a variety of issues. He question Pallister’s math, but in doing so Lett has to admit that the NDP is doing a good job. It has managed to keep spending increases at reasonable levels considering the array of bad luck (expensive flooding; global financial crisis) we’ve endured, and decreasing support from the federal government in the face of growing healthcare, education and justice costs. He even seems to agree that the PST increase, although badly handled, was necessary to pay for much needed infrastructure spending. As Lett explains, the Conservatives claim they can keep spending on infrastructure, not cut programs or services AND balance the budget at the same time as they reverse the PST increase and raise the personal income tax exemption. It’s easy to see why Lett is incredulous.
By Jess Klassen
This past weekend marked Canada’s National Housing Day. In recent history, housing in Canada hasn’t been a hopeful topic. In 1993 federal funds for new social housing development were cut and responsibility for social housing was devolved to the provinces. Provinces have since borne the brunt of filling this funding gap and, because provinces have less fiscal capacity than the feds, homelessness has increased.
Jim Stanford in Winnipeg Nov 24
Join Jim Stanford, economist for Unifor and panelist for CBC National’s “The Bottom Line” as we launch a brand-new second edition of Economic for Everyone: A Short Guide to the Economics of Capitalism.
Tuesday November 24th
7 pm
Neechi Commons
865 Main Street
Light refreshments provided
Q & A and book signing to follow talk
Many experts think economics is dull, technical and best left to the “experts”. But in fact, economics is something we all experience, every day, in our own lives. And it turns out that our economy depends more on work, family and care, than financial markets
Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1480679002239753/
Economicsforeveryone.ca
Naomi Klein to speak in Winnipeg April 8th, 2016
Award-winning Canadian author Naomi Klein will be speaking on climate and economic justice in Winnipeg next Spring. The event is hosted by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba office. 
www.naomikleinwpg2016.eventbrite.ca
A leading intellectual, sought-after public speaker and activist, Klein will be speaking about her recent New York Times bestselling book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate (2014). Klein exposes the myths clouding the climate debate. The climate crisis is real and to address it Klein argues that corporate power needs to be reined in, local economies rebuilt, and democracy reclaimed. Klein inspires us to use climate change as an opportunity to reinvigorate democracy and join people’s movements across the globe united against fossil fuels and advancing renewable energy.
Ms. Klein will be introduced by Clayton Thomas-Muller, an activist for Indigenous self-determination and environmental justice. Thomas-Muller is from Mathais Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan) in Northern Manitoba and works now with 350.org, a global grass roots movement to solve the climate crisis. Klein is a member of the board of directors of 350.org,
Author of celebrated international bestselling books including No Logo (1999) and The Shock Doctrine (2007), Ms. Klein is also an award-winning journalist and accomplished filmmaker (with her partner, Avi Lewis). More recently, Ms. Klein has advised the Vatican and Pope Francis on climate change and launched the Leap Manifesto during the Toronto International Film Festival debut of the film for This Changes Everything.
Please share information about An Evening with Naomi Klein in Winnipeg
Friday April 8th, 2016
Doors: 6:30. Event: 7 pm
Knox United Church
400 Edmonton Street
Regular Admission $30 / Student tickets $20
Student tickets available at U of M, U of W and Red River College – Princess campus.
CCPA MB Supporter post-event reception with Ms. Klein $100, includes admission to talk.
Following the talk there will be questions and answers along with a book signing.
Tickets available at McNally Robinson Grant Park and online www.naomikleinwpg2016.eventbrite.ca
A portion of proceeds of this event will be given in support of the GIWD Treaty 3 Energy East Action Camp.
Manitoba’s economy has outpaced the rest of the country since 2008. It now leads every province in employment. Overall provincial debt has stabilized and prospects for future growth are high. Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon will surely be directed by Manitoba’s NDP government to highlight these economic achievements in her Speech from the Throne on November 16.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba office (CCPA – MB) is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. CCPA has a national office in Ottawa, and provincial offices in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, as well as Manitoba.
The Public Housing Researcher’s principle responsibilities are conduct research for a contract CCPA MB holds with Manitoba Housing and Community Development, Housing Best Practices for Tenants with Multiple Barriers. Public housing can be good-quality low-income rental housing when community-based supports for tenant involvement and capacity building are provided. Manitoba Housing’s goal is to achieve successful tenancies of vulnerable tenants. Vulnerable tenants are people affected by multiple health and socio-economic barriers including poverty, lack of social supports, trauma, poor health, and mental health concerns and/or addictions.
This study will start by documenting the transformation of Lord Selkirk Park, an almost derelict housing complex to a relatively healthy and safe low-income community. Interviews and focus groups will be done with staff and tenants of six other Manitoba Housing complexes to document current and needed resources and supports with tenants. The data will be analyzed and best practices identified. A final report, including summary and recommendations, will be created and presented to Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation.
Responsibilities
- Project management of the Housing Best Practices for Tenants with Multiple Barriers project, including:
- University of Winnipeg human ethics application and adherence to research ethics protocols
- Implementing research methods using an ethnographic, community-based participatory research methodology
- Training and supervising community researcher(s)
- Analyzing results with emphasis on recommendations for public policy and programming
- Drafting final report
- Reporting to Housing Research Services Committee and principal co-investigators
- Follow appropriate protocols regarding confidential and sensitive information on behalf of CCPA MB and Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation
Qualifications and Skills
- University degree, preferably at the masters level, in the social sciences or a related field
- Dedication to research toward social and economic justice with an interest in research related to low income housing, urban poverty, community development
- Experience conducting research with an emphasis on community based participatory research and implications for public policy
- Experience with project management, budget and time management
- Expertise in housing and community development policies and programs
- Experience working with community-based organizations and people with multiple barriers to successful tenancy
- Ability to work follow appropriate protocols and exercise a high degree of discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive information
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Outstanding attention to detail and good conflict mediation skills
The successful candidate should share a commitment to CCPA’s social justice mandate. The person hired for the position will be self-directed and feel comfortable working in a small office team environment. The CCPA is a non-profit organization with a unionized workplace and offers a competitive benefits package. This is a part time term position at 26 hours/ week for one year, salary $39,000. Anticipated start date: January 4, 2016.
Please submit a cover letter, CV/ resume and writing sample by November 23, 2015 at 5 pm to:
Molly McCracken, Director
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba
Thank you to all who apply, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
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