The Poverty Reduction Strategy Act

The Poverty Reduction Strategy Act, C.C.S.M. c. P94.7 (Assented to June 16, 2011) bilingual version (HTML) Table of Contents Section 1 Definitions 2 Poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy 3 Committee on poverty reduction and social inclusion 4 Role of strategy in annual budget process 5 Annual report 6 Regulations 7 C.C.S.M. reference 8 Coming into force HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows: Definitions 1 The following definitions apply in this Act. "committee" means the committee on poverty reduction and social inclusion established in section 3. (« comité ») "minister" , except in clause 3(1)⁠(a), means the minister appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to administer this Act. (« ministre ») Poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy 2(1) The government must (a) implement a long-term strategy to reduce poverty and increase social inclusion across Manitoba; (b) establish or adopt poverty and social inclusion indicators to be used in measuring the progress of the strategy; and (c) provide annual reports to the public on the progress of the strategy in accordance with subsection 5(4). Strategy to address multiple areas of need 2(2) The strategy must recognize that poverty has multiple causes, and be designed to address various needs, including the need for (a) quality, accessible education that develops knowledge and skills; (b) training that prepares persons for employment; (c) employment opportunities; (d) income supports for persons who are unable to fully participate in the labour market; (e) affordable housing; (f) supportive and safe communities; and (g) supports for strong and healthy families. Targeted strategy 2(3) The strategy must (a) recognize that certain groups face a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion; and (b) ensure that programs and initiatives to reduce poverty and increase social inclusion are accessible to all persons who require them. Strategy to be co-ordinated 2(4) The strategy must be designed to ensure that programs and initiatives to implement the strategy are co-ordinated across the government. Review 2(5) The strategy must be reviewed and updated at least once every five years. Strategy to be publicly available 2(6) The minister must ensure that a detailed description of the strategy is published on a government website. Committee on poverty reduction and social inclusion 3(1) A committee on poverty reduction and social inclusion, which may be referred to as the "All Aboard Committee", is hereby established, and is to consist of (a) those ministers who are responsible for policies, programs or services that affect poverty reduction and social inclusion, as determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council; and (b) [repealed] S.M. 2022, c. 24, s. 29 ; (c) four additional persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, based on recommendations from the minister after consulting with the United Way of Winnipeg and any other groups that the minister considers appropriate for this purpose. Responsibilities 3(2) The responsibilities of the committee include (a) reviewing and providing advice to the Executive Council on (i) the content of the poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy, (ii) poverty and social inclusion indicators, and (iii) proposed programs, policies or initiatives; (b) monitoring the implementation of the strategy; (c) ensuring that programs, policies and initiatives of the government to reduce poverty and increase social inclusion are co-ordinated and consistent with the strategy; and (d) facilitating community involvement in the development and implementation of the strategy. Co-chairs 3(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council is to designate two members of the committee as its co-chairs. 3(4) [Repealed] S.M. 2021, c. 30, s. 21 . S.M. 2021, c. 30, s. 21 ; S.M. 2022, c. 24, s. 29 . Role of strategy in annual budget process 4 For each fiscal year, the government must (a) take the poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy into account when preparing the budget for that fiscal year; (b) prepare a statement that (i) summarizes the strategy and sets out the budget measures that are designed to implement the strategy, and (ii) sets out the poverty reduction and social inclusion indicators prescribed by regulation that will be used to measure the progress of the strategy; and (c) table the statement referred to in clause (b) in the Legislative Assembly at the time of tabling the budget for that fiscal year. Annual report 5(1) Within six months after the end of each fiscal year, the minister, in consultation with the committee, must prepare a report that (a) reviews the implementation of the poverty reduction and social inclusion strategy for that year; and (b) evaluates the progress of the strategy using the poverty reduction and social inclusion indicators prescribed by regulation. Report to be tabled 5(2) The minister must table the report in the Legislative Assembly upon completing the report or, if the Assembly is not sitting at that time, within 15 days after the next sitting begins. 5(3) [Repealed] S.M. 2021, c. 30, s. 21 . Publication on website 5(4) When the report has been tabled in the Assembly, the minister must ensure that the report is published on the website on which the description of the strategy is published under subsection 2(6). S.M. 2021, c. 30, s. 21 . Regulations 6 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) prescribing indicators of poverty reduction and social inclusion for the purposes of this Act; (b) respecting any matter necessary or advisable to carry out the purposes of this Act. C.C.S.M. reference 7 This Act may be referred to as chapter P94.7 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba . Coming into force 8 This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.