Make Poverty History Manitoba (MPHM) is a multi-sectoral collaborative coalition representing Indigenous, newcomer, labour, women’s, LGBTTQ*, disability, urban, rural, northern, business, education, student and youth communities.
Our coalition’s efforts are directed primarily at the provincial level. However, our work contributes toward the achievement of Make Poverty History’s national campaign objectives, as well as work toward municipal poverty reduction objectives, particularly through the City of Winnipeg.
The coalition is committed to changing public policy to achieve a Manitoba without poverty.
We recognize that the causes of poverty and social exclusion go well beyond inadequate incomes and unemployment. They include the inability to access affordable and adequate housing, childcare, public transportation, health services, recreation, education and training. These causes are interconnected. Make Poverty History Manitoba believes that any effort to address them must adopt a comprehensive and systematic approach, within a legislated framework, if poverty reduction and social inclusion are to be achieved.
Make Poverty History Manitoba formed in 2008 out of a multi-sectoral collaborative coalition made up of approximately 30 Winnipeg organizations from the Indigenous, newcomer, labour, women’s, health, disability, business, education, and student communities and agencies.
This coalition evolved out of an early group in 2004, including the Women’s Health Clinic, the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence and other organizations initiating discussions in the community about anti-poverty legislation.
Since that time, the coalition has grown to include over 100 organizations and thousands of individual Manitobans united in the goal for a Manitoba without poverty.
The diverse membership of MPHM reflects the diverse populations most vulnerable to poverty. We recognize that these populations include women, children, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, and recent immigrants. Our membership also reflects the diverse causes of poverty.