Urgent action needed to avoid humanitarian and poverty crisis in Manitoba – MPHM sends Open Letter to Province

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Make Poverty History Manitoba (MPHM) has written an Open Letter to the Manitoba Government for urgent action to support those struggling with poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 disproportionately affects people living in poverty as income is a social determinant of health. MPHM is concerned that the Manitoba government is making matters worse, particularly in relation to:

  1. Employment and Income Assistance Claw Back 
  2. Increase EIA rates and move to a Liveable Basic Needs Benefit 
  3. Eviction ban should be reinstated and a plan created

The Government of Manitoba can reduce poverty and homelessness and stop the spread of COVID-19 through immediate action: 

  1. Fully exempt the CERB, CRB and other federal COVID-19 recovery measures from EIA claw backs to ensure EIA benefits are not interrupted or reduced.
  2. Increase the EIA allowances for single adults by $383 per month and for people with disabilities by $236 per month and transform EIA into a Liveable Basic Needs Benefit.
  3. Reinstate the provincial eviction ban to prevent homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

MPHM is circulating a petition on the above to be tabled in the Manitoba Legislature. 

MPHM is a multi-sectoral collaborative coalition with over 150 member organizations committed to changing public policy to achieve a Manitoba without poverty.  MPHM has been petitioning the Manitoba Government for action on poverty for over 15 years.

READ THE OPEN LETTER HERE.