Have you had your say about poverty? You’ve got until Friday!

Winnipeg has a bad rap when it comes to perceptions of crime, and I think this is unfair. Having lived in a Calgary and in many different neighbourhoods within Vancouver, I think it’s safe to say that all big cities have problems with crime —  Winnipeg’s residents are not unique in feeling overwhelmed by constant news reports of  both petty and violent crime.  As recent Vancouver residents, I think all of us Wo’MHers are a little relieved to have escaped the current gang warfare that’s going on there. Although there are parts of this city that we associate with crime more than others, everyone is affected in one way or another. No one is immune.

I mention this because I personally believe that crime and poverty are inextricably linked, and I recently had an opportunity to voice my opinions on the subject on the Urban Exchange Poverty Survey. (Urban Exchange is an advisory panel of the United Way of Winnipeg.) The survey is fairly quick to take – go to MyCityMySay.ca, and answer a couple questions about your perceptions of poverty – since “poverty means different things to different people.” Questions relate to:

• What do you think poverty is?
• How serious is the issue of poverty in our city? In your neighbourhood?
• What you think causes poverty?
• Have you or someone you know been affected by poverty?

You can write as much or as little as you want – what’s important is that you have your say.

The survey has been running for about three weeks, and closes on May 8th (that’s this coming Friday).

(If you don’t want to take the survey online, you can get a paper copy by calling 477-5360 or emailing Urban Exchange.)