MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release Friday April 13, 2012

Manitoba Community Organizations Watching Provincial Budget Closely Manitoba needs to attack root causes of crime
WINNIPEG The provincial budget will be examined closely for signs of progress on social justice issues, say spokespersons from a variety of Manitoba community organizations. Manitobans are frustrated with the growing perception that our province is a violent and unsafe place to live. Manitoba needs to continue to address the root causes of crime, by tackling a widerange of challenges facing our province, they say. The spokespersons will be available for comment before and after the provincial budget is tabled on Tuesday. Research strongly associates reduced crime with reduced poverty, stated Shauna MacKinnon, of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. High quality early learning and child care in the earliest years of life can reduce the risk that todays infants, toddlers, and preschoolers will become tomorrows violent teens and adults. Strategies to strengthen and support families need to be a provincial priority, said Pat Wege, from the Manitoba Child Care Association. Increasing the quantity, quality and affordability of housing will provide the stability people require to meet their basic needs and build a future for their families, added Clark Brownlee, from the Right to Housing Coalition. Community organizations and enterprises across the province are working together to address these and other pressing needs such as education, training, and employment opportunities. They are calling on the provincial government to continue investing in these kinds of initiatives, said Brendan Reimer, of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network. Dennis Lewycky, from the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, noted that the public and the media need to turn their attention to these issues and encourage the provincial government to take seriously the recommendations of community organizations. David Northcott,Executive Director of Winnipeg Harvest, said every low-income Manitoban is expected to make a budget and live within it. We will be watching carefully to see if the province is putting a high priority on helping low-income Manitobans meet their needs, especially for food. WHO: Community Organizations in Winnipeg WHAT: Expectations and Responses to the Manitoba Budget Announcement WHEN: Prior to and during the Manitoba Provincial Budget Announcement, April 17th, 2012. WHERE: Manitoba Legislature Make Poverty History Manitoba is a coalition of community organizations collaborating to reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty and social exclusion in Manitoba. Member organizations available for comment include: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canadian Community Economic Development Network, Campaign 2000, Make Poverty History Manitoba, Manitoba Child Care Association, Right to Housing, Social Planning Council, UN Platform for Action Committee, and Winnipeg Harvest - 30 For more information or to arrange an interview with these organizations, please contact: David Jacks, Make Poverty History Manitoba: mobile: (204) 801-7339 Kirsten Bernas, Make Poverty History Manitoba: (204) 943-0547 mobile: (204) 688-7050