Cities Reducing Poverty

Cities Reducing Poverty is a collective impact movement aimed at reducing poverty for 1 million Canadians through the efforts of local multi-sector roundtables and the alignment of poverty reduction strategies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels.

Launched in 2002 by Tamarack, the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and Caledon Institute of Social Policy, Vibrant Communities Canada originally invited 13 cities to build multi-sector leadership roundtables with the goal of reducing poverty. Between 2002 and 2012, this group of Vibrant Communities Trail Builders undertook an action-learning experiment to see if a place-based approach could move the needle on poverty. Their impact was significant with a number of cities reporting a 10% reduction in poverty impacting the lives of 202,931 low income Canadians.

Building on the success of these 13 cities, a movement has emerged with more than 50 additional cities joining the network. While the poverty reduction effort is customized to the local context, these cross-sector community leaders have been working on poverty reduction strategies such as increasing access to affordable transit, living wage campaigns, increasing access to affordable housing, focusing on priority neighbourhoods, and advocating for evidence-based social assistance.

We collectively believe that this effort will result in a more equitable, vibrant and healthier Canada. When citizens are marginalized because of poverty, our communities and cities suffer. Reducing poverty increases our economic capacity, our health outcomes and our community vitality.

10 - A Guide for Cities Reducing Poverty

Authored by Brock Carlton, CEO of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and Paul Born, President of Tamarack Institute, 10 – A Guide for Cities Reducing Poverty presents a concise overview of how cities are reducing poverty: their stories, their strategies, their resources, and tips for beginners on organizing a city-wide initiative. Whether you are a community leader, an elected official, a business leader, or a concerned citizen, this book was written for you.

Vibrant Communities - Cities Reducing Poverty Membership Brochure 2018

Vibrant Communities' Cities Reducing Poverty membership brings local poverty reduction initiatives into a national movement that supports them to build capacity and increase the success of their efforts. City Champions help members to access the most relevant learning opportunities and resources for their collaborative initiative, make the best use of discounts to attend in-person events, and gain incredible networking opportunities with change leaders, practitioners, and peers across Canada and beyond. Join this exciting movement for change as we reduce poverty for 1 million Canadians.

Cities Reducing Poverty Membership Directory 2017

The Cities Reducing Poverty Membership Directory 2017 tells a brief story about each of our more than 50 Cities Reducing Poverty members – a learning community and network of local cities, towns, and regions devoted to reducing or ending poverty in their local communities. The directory showcases a short profile for each member, support readers to connect with groups working on similar priority areas, and shares members’ plans, reports, and infographics that can inform others’ efforts in poverty reduction strategy development and reporting.

Sometimes to Hear the Music you Have to Turn Down the Noise: A Game-Changer Approach to Poverty Reduction Strategy and Evaluation

From a poverty reduction perspective, we are inundated with the voices of our partners and stakeholders, regularly adding our own voices to the mix as well. It’s like sitting in a room with 100 people who are all talking about important things, but where the messages become undecipherable. This article is about lessening the noise that envelopes us and increasing our capacity to make beautiful music together as we identify, act on, and evaluate our poverty reduction efforts.

THRIVE: Medicine Hat and Region Strategy to End Poverty and Increase Wellbeing

Medicine Hat, the city credited as being the first to end homelessness, is taking on poverty in all its forms, with a goal of ensuring wellbeing for all citizens by 2030. The THRIVE Strategy to end poverty was a collaboration between the group leading the charge, The Poverty Reduction Leadership Group, and a substantial number of ‘Hatters’ from all walks of life. Rather than alleviating the symptoms of poverty, THRIVE calls for system changes that can prevent and ultimately end poverty by addressing its root causes.

What Does the Data Tell Us About Rising Poverty in Canada

Incomes are an important determinant of well-being and one of the more measureable aspects of poverty. Data can tell us how poverty affects groups of people differently, and how poverty is changing among and within them. This publication discusses how the forthcoming federal poverty reduction strategy must be rooted in evidence, must aim to put an end to widening income inequality, and must reflect the complexity of poverty by involving the many actors that influence and are affected by it.

TO Prosperity: Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy

Toronto’s vision by 2035 is to be a city with opportunities for all, and a leader in the collective pursuit of justice, fairness and equity. The city aspires to be renowned for having access to good jobs, adequate income, stable housing, affordable transportation, nutritious food, and supportive services. This plan reflects key concerns and issues prioritized by Toronto residents during a broad engagement process, with a focus on addressing immediate needs, creating pathways to prosperity, and driving systemic change.

Cities Reducing Poverty: How Vibrant Communities are Creating Comprehensive Solutions to the Most Complex Problem of Our Times

This book explores the efforts of collaborative groups in six different Canadian cities where each one is guided by a desire to employ a comprehensive approach in tackling the interconnected cause-and-effect variables of poverty. It showcases case studies from these communities that provide a rich pool of learning about the multiple and complex factors underlying poverty, as well as the characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of reducing it through comprehensive and integrated responses.

Vibrant Communities City Convenor

This Community of Practice is for individuals who belong to the Vibrant Communities Canada - Cities Reducing Poverty network to share ideas and information about their local poverty reduction efforts.

BC Communities Reducing Poverty

The BC CoP is a committed group of individuals with a common desire to learn from each other, to enable professional self- development, and to build capacities of their local poverty reduction initiatives. The group comes together to share information, experiences and best practices, strengthen collaboration, and better respond to poverty-related issues in their communities.

Vibrant Communities