10/17/2026
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17) is recognized worldwide to ask for action towards ending poverty worldwide.
The theme this year is “Safe Homes for All". Housing is a human right. Everyone deserves a safe home. In our work, we see everyday how unsafe and unaffordable housing only entrenches people deeper into poverty.
Women and gender diverse folks are more likely to stay in unsafe home situations. They often have few choices when looking to access safe, appropriate, and affordable housing. This is due to a variety of social, economic, and political issues that interfere with their ability to find housing. All statistics dramatically worsen if they have disabilities, are Indigenous, a person of colour or a refugee.
Poverty is on the rise in Manitoba. Almost 180,000 people live below the poverty line. Of those who are low income, Manitoba has the highest rate of those living in deep income poverty (75% below the government’s official poverty line).
On Wednesday, we joined Make Poverty History Manitoba in asking the Manitoba Government to increase EIA rates. In Manitoba, people living on social assistance receive just $245/month to meet all their basic needs. This includes groceries, clothing, phone, and transportation. This is not enough money to survive!
We have the ability to end poverty if we find the courage to invest appropriately in the programs that lift people up and ensure every person in Manitoba can enjoy their human rights to the fullest.
