Pancakes and Policy in Manitoba

November 27, 2015

Annual Wild Blueberry Pancake BreakfastFollowing on the heels of the November 16 throne speech, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger made an announcement this morning at the annual LITE Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast that builds on a number of CCEDNet MB’s policy resolutions.

  • LITE, Local Investment Toward Employment, will receive new three year funding from the Province for the Social Purchasing Portal (SPP). This supports recommendations in the Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy (MSES) to identify, promote and expand private market purchasing from social enterprises. The SPP will increase the impact of social purchases, and keep the investment in our communities.  (2014.6 Manitoba Social Enterprise Strategy)
  • Targets and Timelines for Poverty Reduction were served up at the breakfast as a commitment by the Premier. The government has already committed to some targets and timelines Make Poverty History Manitoba and other community groups have brought forward as priorities, such as 12,000 new child care spaces and 500 social and 500 affordable housing units. Government has now also committed to work collaboratively with community members, between sectors and governments to set additional realistic targets and timelines to enhance poverty reduction efforts in Manitoba. (2015.4 Poverty Reduction Plan and Legislation)
  • All Aboard Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Plan- The 2014/15 Annual Report was released on November 26 and speaks to a number of CCEDNet member priority areas.

Establishing measurable targets and accountability are welcome steps forward toward more meaningful poverty reduction efforts in Manitoba. We look forward to continued work realizing this commitment to strong targets to improve the lives of Manitobans most affected by poverty.

Congratulations to LITE for hosting a wonderful community event in support of the Alternative Christmas Hamper and we look forward to the expanded scope on the SPP. 

The news release can be found here.