High Poverty in South Winnipeg – Overview (2026)

Jan 19, 2026

For those who follow my communications across my various platforms, you know that I often focus on opportunities and challenges in the local Waverley West ward, along with the many great events and celebrations we share.

As I have done in previous years, 2026 will include a series of posts on key local issues to help keep residents informed. Today, I am starting with poverty in South Winnipeg, and I will be sharing additional updates on this topic in the weeks ahead.

Next to downtown, South Winnipeg has the second-largest area of high poverty in the city. While this may surprise some, this has been the case for many years—and the situation is worsening.

I have been working closely with Councillor Markus Chambers as both of our ward boundaries run along Pembina Highway, where many of the areas of high poverty are located. These same areas also fall within the provincial ridings of MLAs Jennifer Chen and David Pankratz, and the federal riding of MP Terry Duguid.

Over the past year, Councillor Chambers and I have held many meetings and discussions with support agencies, as well as with our MLAs and MP, to better understand the challenges and identify ways to respond. Through these posts, I will be highlighting what we’ve learned and the work being done—and I hope to encourage residents to help where they can, whether by contacting governments or supporting local initiatives such as food drives.

No single agency or level of government can solve poverty alone. Only by working together can we reduce poverty in our community.

Background: Poverty in South Winnipeg

According to 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, the second-largest area of high poverty in Winnipeg is located on both sides of Pembina Highway and in the Fort Richmond & the Fairfield Park neighbourhoods.

The demographic groups significantly overrepresented in poverty include:

Indigenous residents
Children (ages 0–14) and seniors
Recent immigrants and refugees
Lone parents (particularly women)
Persons with disabilities
Members of the LGBT2SQ+ community

Neighbourhood Snapshots

Fort Richmond

Over the past 10–15 years, Fort Richmond’s demographics have changed significantly. The neighbourhood has seen a growing population of newcomers and refugees, many fleeing war-torn countries and facing serious challenges related to poverty.

Estimated population (July 2024): 13,575 residents

Population increase since July 2021: 6%

Located in Councillor Chambers’ ward and MLA Jennifer Chen’s riding

Fairfield Park

In Fairfield Park, the construction of lower-rent apartment housing has contributed to rapid population growth.

Estimated population (July 2024): 4,929 residents

Population increase since July 2021: 35%

Located in Councillor Lukes’ ward and MLA Jennifer Chen’s riding

Along Pembina Highway

Along both sides of Pembina Highway, there are numerous apartment buildings providing deeply affordable housing, supporting a large number of residents.

Areas fall within Councillor Lukes’ and Councillor Chambers’ wards

Primarily located in MLA Jennifer Chen’s riding

Percentage of People Living in Poverty

On the attached maps, you will see a legend showing MBM and a percentage (%).

MBM stands for Market Basket Measure, which is Canada’s official measure of poverty. It assesses whether an individual or family has enough disposable income to afford a modest, basic standard of living—not comfort or luxury.

The MBM includes five essential categories:

Food
Clothing and footwear
Shelter
Transportation
Other necessities

The percentage shown represents the proportion of people living below this basic standard of living, essentially living in poverty. This is very disheartening.

The maps and supporting Statistics Canada data are available through the City of Winnipeg Open Data Portal:

https://data.winnipeg.ca/…/Map-of-the…/rz9y-dfda

Upcoming Topics

Future postings will cover:

– Crime resulting from poverty

– Agencies supporting poverty reduction

– City of Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Strategy

– Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy

– Pembina Trails School Division supportive actions

This information is heartbreaking and I know many of you will feel the same. If you are able, please consider donating to Manitoba Harvest https://www.harvestmanitoba.ca/. Access to food is one of the most basic human needs.

As always, I welcome your comments, concerns, and suggestions. Please email me at jlukes@winnipeg.ca