Advocacy group wants Manitoba to invest in community-led initiatives
One advocacy group is calling on the Manitoba government to invest in community-led initiatives rather than spend money on large-scale capital projects as part of next week’s budget.
According to the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet), over the last eight years the province has stopped putting money into community development and focused more on capital programs.
“We have a hopeful call amidst this crisis for a targeted program that supports community-led development, particularly in the communities that need it most,” said Michael Barkman, the network manager for CCEDNet.
“We’re offering this to government as a potential solution to work with them and to see the power of community development, to reduce polarization, to bring people together and reduce social exclusion.”
Community-led development is the idea that communities themselves are best equipped to deal with the challenges they are dealing with, including when it comes to poverty and economic development.
“It’s people coming together to address the challenges they are facing, particularly in communities facing high rates of poverty and the government can play an important role in supporting this,” Barkman said.
Now, CCEDNet wants Manitoba’s budget to include a program that will support community-led organizations.
“We want to see that targeted approach,” Barkman said.
“When we’re supporting development in communities that need it most, Manitoba thrives. When we’re supporting folks who are able to address the consequences of poverty and make their communities more liveable and more beautiful, that’s beneficial for all us.”
The Manitoba government will deliver the budget on April 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
Key mediator Qatar urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a cease-fire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a ceasefire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Campus anti-war protesters dig in across U.S. as schools, police take action
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war woke up in tents at college campuses across the United States Sunday morning planning more protests demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies accused of enabling the conflict.