About peg
  • What is Peg?

  • Peg is Winnipeg’s community indicator system, tracking indicators that reflect and measure our city’s wellbeing.  The indicators, developed by a wide-cross section of stakeholders, speak to our wellbeing in eight theme areas (basic needs, health, education & learning, social vitality, governance, built environment, economy, and natural environment) and one cross-cutting issue (poverty).  Individuals, groups, and organizations in all sectors can use the information to increase their knowledge, inform decisions, and guide action to achieve short- and long-term progress.

    Peg is a work in progress.  The initial site introduces the eight themes and the indicators for poverty, the cross-cutting issue.  The site will continue to be built and developed, with indicators for the eight themes developed over the next two to three years. 

Peg’s History & Development

  • Why was Peg developed?

  • Peg is the natural result of several city-wide community engagement and planning processes held in Winnipeg.  These have included the United Way of Winnipeg’s Journey Forward process in 1999-2000 as well as the City of Winnipeg’s Our Winnipeg process.  Through these processes, Winnipeggers have asked how we would know if we were making progress on the issues most important to us.  Peg helps to answer that question, providing data on key indicators of our community’s well-being.  The data is supplemented by stories from the community about how the issues underlying the indicators are reflected in the lives of Winnipeggers. 

    Peg will provide a way for individuals, community groups and organizations throughout Winnipeg to easily access data, thereby monitoring our progress as a community.  This data can further be used to guide decision-making and collective action, thus achieving progress that reflects the users’ values and hopes. 

  • How was Peg developed?  Who was involved?

  • While Peg was spearheaded by United Way of Winnipeg and the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD), it involves a broad cross-section of Winnipeggers in its development. 

    The Steering Committee provides overall guidance and oversight to Peg efforts, providing checks and balances to keep Peg credible.  The Steering Committee consists of approximately 15 individuals reflecting a range of organizations and sectors.

    The Engagement Group consists of approximately 40 people who provide a testing ground for Peg policy, approaches and next steps.  Ultimately, the role of the Engagement Group is to keep Peg relevant in our community.

    For each theme, an Indicators Working Group is pulled together, consisting of organizations and individuals with expertise and/or experience in the theme being explored.  Their role is to develop a list of potential indicators and to assist in narrowing the list to a reasonable and achievable list of indicators.

    Additional feedback has been obtained through community surveys, using mechanisms such as the Urban Exchange (mycitymysay.ca)

  • How are the themes and indicators chosen?

  • Peg uses an intensive community consultation to develop the themes and indicators, involving: a Steering Committee, Engagement Group, Indicators Working Group, the Urban Exchange, a collation of results from previous community consultations, as well as organizational, expert, and individual consultations.  Over 500 people provided input into the pilot phase of the project.  The Indicators Working Group developed a set of criteria to assist in selecting the indicators for the pilot and future themes and also reviewed approximately 100 possible indicators. 

    The specific process for the first 14 indicators was a 5-step process, as follows:

    1. A list of over 400 possible indicators was created through in-depth research of indicators used by local, national, and international organziations.  Of these, approximately 100 were chosen as being directly related to poverty, Peg's cross-cutting issue.

    2. The 100 indicators were narrowed down to 36 by the Indicators Working Group.  The basis for selecting the indicators was a set of 10 criteria, including factors such as relevance and meaningfulness.  These 36 indicators specifically focused on four of the eight theme areas that define wellbeing in Winnipeg:  basic needs, education & learning, health, and social vitality.

    3. The list of 36 was further reduced to 21 by additional local experts such as individuals from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, The City of Winnipeg's Community Development and Recreation Services Division, and University of Manitoba.

    4. The Peg Project Team assessed the availability of data, ease of understanding, and priority level for each indicator.  This resulted in 14 manageable indicators.

    5. The final list of 14 was approved by the Indicators Working Group.

  • How was the name Peg chosen?

  • Peg is a commonly used nickname for Winnipeg.  In addition, the word peg speaks to marking one’s place.  Thus, the name Peg is symbolic of pegging a problem, pegging solutions, and pegging our progress. 

  • What does the logo mean?
  • The logo, or icon, represents a number of concepts.  The image looks like both a snowflake and the sun, images easily associated with Winnipeg.  The eight arrows, representing the system’s themes, point toward each other, thereby suggesting a focus and interconnectedness.  The white space in the icon is both a meeting point (hub with spokes) and a measurement tool (gauge).  The colours represent all colours of the spectrum, demonstrating the system’s inclusion and diversity.  The font used is also commonly used in road signage and is therefore associated with finding our way.

     

  • What does the tagline “Tracking Progress. Taking Action” mean?

  • This statement represents both the mission and the vision of Peg.  Peg is certainly about gathering information to track our progress as a community.  Peg is also about being a catalyst for collective action toward positive change. 

Peg’s Governance & Structure

  • Who is in charge of Peg?

  • Ultimately, Winnipeggers own Peg.  The organizations that have championed Peg since its early conception in 2002 are United Way of Winnipeg and the International Institute of Sustainable Development.  Because community insight and ownership are critical to the development of the system, these two organizations have and continue to engage the perspectives, wisdom, and advice of Winnipeggers across all sectors. This includes the Steering Committee, which provides overall guidance and oversight to Peg efforts, the Engagement Group and Indicators Working Group.   

  • Who funds Peg?

  • Financial support for Peg is currently provided by United Way of Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, and Health in Common.  Both financial and in-kind support for the development of Peg has been provided by the International Institute of Sustainable Development, Tactica, Structured Dynamics, and Soma TV.  Further in-kind support is recognized through the participation of organizations on the Steering Committee, Engagement Group, and Indicators Working Group, in addition to the many others who have participated in planning meetings since 2002.  Further funding  partners are being sought at this time. 

  • What are the mission and values behind Peg?

  • Peg’s mission is to build the knowledge and capacity of Winnipeggers to work together to achieve and sustain the well-being of current and future generations. 

    Peg is community-based and non-partisan, following a collaborative, transparent process.  The following beliefs and principles guide Peg:

    A holistic approach that acknowledges the interconnections among economic, environmental, cultural, and social factors

    Inclusive participation by all sectors and all interested groups and individuals

    Diversity, embracing  the diversity within the community

    Respect among those community members who participate in the community indicators system and use it to guide their decisions, policies, and actions

    Independence and Interdependence of sectors, organizations, and individuals are both recognized and respected

    Collective accountability and responsibility for developing and achieving a shared vision for community

    Sustainability and responsiveness, with sustainable, manageable processes that respond to changes within the community and build on existing indicators initiatives and capacities

    Meaningful and relevant reporting that is timely, accessible and credible

    Learning and capacity building are priorized, with a commitment to continuous individual and collective learning, building knowledge and capacity for creating change over time

    Focus on the future, with a commitment to take action to create a positive future for subsequent generations

    How does Peg work? What is its Operating Model? Peg engages Winnipeggers in working together to achieve positive change toward the well-being of the community for current and future generations.  Our Operating Model involves five components or ways of engaging Winnipeggers. 

    Values & Aspirations of the Community: engaging Winnipeggers in developing a framework and themes grounded in shared values and aspirations.  Covering all key areas of well-being, the framework and its themes provide the basis for future details

    Indicator Selection & Development: engaging Winnipeggers and experts in developing indicators

    Information & Knowledge System:  obtaining, managing and providing the information required by Peg. This includes both the quantitative data and the stories

    Communication, Reporting and Outreach: communicating the results after data for indicators have been collected, analyzed and interpreted, along with the associated stories.  This part engages Winnipeggers in discussing and using the indicator information for analysis and future planning

    Evaluation, Learning and Improvement: evaluating Peg’s efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability to ensure that we are always learning, improving, and impacting our city

  • Who benefits from Peg?

  • Peg has been designed to benefit all Winnipeggers, providing reliable, credible information on key indicators.  There are many reasons for and ways of using Peg. Students of all ages can use the site for research projects.  Non-for-profit organizations can use the site to gather information on the communities they serve, thereby tailoring programming and funding applications to their area’s needs.  Government departments can use the site to collect data about the community and the impact of various policies over time.  Business owners can use the site to assess trends impacting their customers or to define where they might want to get involved.  Community members can use the site to learn more about the strengths of their neighbourhood.

Peg’s Data

  • Why were only 14 indicators chosen for the pilot project?

  • Peg is currently a pilot project.  The initial 14 indicators have been identified to tract trends reflecting the cross-cutting issue of poverty in Winnipeg.  In determining the number of indicators, the Peg Project Team aimed for a balance between choosing a manageable number of indicators and having enough indicators to provide a meaningful picture.  The five-step process of indicator selection to reduce the original list from 400 to 14 is described above under "How are the themes and indicators chosen?" 

  • Where does Peg get its information & data?

  • Data for Peg is obtained from reliable, credible sources, with each source stated in the definition for each indicator.

  • How can I trust that the information is reliable and not biased?

  • Through involving many individuals and groups at every level of development, Peg has been developed to provide a non-biased approach.  While no one indicator is perfect, the system has been developed to provide a rounded picture.  Additionally, Peg does not collect data but rather communicates data that has been collected externally.  Each indicator specifies the data's source.

  • Why does Peg use stories?

  • Peg's stories allow users to gain another level of information and knowledge. Stories on Peg are personal accounts of people with lived experience and individuals helping to make a difference, tied to a particular indicator or theme.  The stories are chosen to: i) inspire and empower others to take action; ii) help improve general understanding of an issue; iii) illustrate the impacts of an action, to serve as a tool for sharing best practices and celebrating success; and iv) help establish why, how and who is affecting change in a given indicator. 

  • Where does Peg get its stories?

  • The stories used in the pilot version of Peg have been gathered by IISD.  The stakeholders consulted during the development phase provided recommendations for the practitioners and those with professional expertise.  The Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council provided the connection to those with lived-experience expertise.

  • How often is the data updated?

  • The frequency of updating will depend on the indicator and the frequency that its data is collected.  Peg will be kept current, updating new data as it is released by its sources.

Peg’s Future

  • When will you have the rest of the indicators and data?

  • Peg is continually growing and building.  As each theme area is completed, our Steering Committee and Engagement Committee provide information on which theme to work on next.  How quickly the themes and site are completed depends both on the involvement of others in the development process and the availability of funds. 

  • What comes next for Peg?  Which theme and indicators will be developed next?

  • Next steps for the project include: 1) identifying the next theme area to be addressed; 2) selecting new indicators to be populate the theme areas; 3) securing additional funding; 4) keeping the indicators in the system up-to-date; 5) collecting additional stories from Winnipeggers; 6) exploring ways to work together to ehance Winnipeg's well-being; and 7) measuring the impact of Peg.

    The process of determining the next theme and indicators will be similar to that used to determine the first 14 indicators.  We will again involve a wide range of individuals and organizations living in Winnipeg.  Our goal is to identify indicators to populate each of the theme areas and provide an overall picture of wellbeing in Winnipeg.

    The stories for the next phase of Peg will again reflect on the experiences of Winnipeggers.  Their intent will be to illustrate the impacts of action, serve as a tool for sharing best practices, and help celebrate success. 

  • How can I give my opinion on where to go next?

  • You may send your thoughts to info@mypeg.ca  

  • Who do I contact with further questions?

  • info@mypeg.ca

  • How can I financially support the future development of Peg?

  • You may make a designated donation through the "Donate" page on this website. 

About Community Indicators

  • What is a community indicator?

  • Community indicators are measurements that provide information about past and current trends within a community.  They show the connectedness between social, environmental, and economic factors that affect a community’s well-being.  Community indicators provide information on the overall direction of a community, providing data on where it is improving, declining and/or staying the same. 

    “Community indicators are bits of information that, when combined, generate a picture of what is happening in a local system.  They provide insight into the overall direction of a community:  whether it is improving, declining, or staying the same, or is some mix of all three . . . Indicators are gauges for a community, like the Dow Jones Industrial Average:  just as the Dow indicates the direction of the whole stock market by tracking a small selection of stocks, indicators represent a whole community through a few factors, often selected by way of a community visioning process.” (Rhonda Phillips, Community Indicators, The American Planning Association, 2003, page 2.)

    Community indicators are often grouped into category areas or themes.  Peg has grouped our community indicators into eight theme areas, as well as one cross-cutting area (poverty).

  • What is a community indicator system?

  • Community indicators systems identify and track indicators that speak to a community’s well-being; that relate to the economic, environmental, cultural, social and other priorities and issues that matter most to a community’s members.  The system collects, analyzes and interprets data for each indicator, making the information fully available to members of the community.

  • Why is it important to track indicators? What are the benefits?

  • Community indicator systems provide data that tracks the well-being of a community.  Peg, and similar systems, provide a way for individuals, community groups and organizations in all sectors to easily access data.  This data can then be used to guide decision-making and collective action, thus achieving progress that reflects the users’ values and hopes.

    A study by the United States Government General Accountability Office (2004) found that comprehensive key indicator systems: 1) enhance collaboration to address public issues; 2) provide tools to encourage progress; 3) help inform decision making; 4) improve research; and 5) increase public knowledge about key economic, environmental, social, and cultural issues

  • What is a theme?

  • A theme is an over-arching grouping of indicators looking at specific aspects of a community’s well-being.  Peg uses the following eight theme areas: basic needs, health, education & learning, social vitality, governance, built environment, economy, and natural environment. 

  • What is a cross-cutting issue?

  • A cross-cutting issue is an issue or concern whose indicators impact on several theme areas.  Peg has identified poverty as a cross-cutting issue, and has developed indicators which speak to the complexity of the issue.  The poverty indicators touch on the following themes:  basic needs, education and learning, health, and social vitality. 

  • What other cities of have community indicator websites?

  • Over 15 Canadian and hundreds of international cities have developed community indicator systems to help guide them.  The Community Indicators Consortium has developed an extensive list of community indicators systems around the world:  http://www.communityindicators.net/efforts

Credits

  • Our thanks go out to...

  • Our thanks go to:

    • Steering Committee Members: Brendan Reimer, Canadian Community Economic Development Network; Cathy Steven, Health in Common*; Clive Wightman, City of Winnipeg*; Connie Walker, United Way of Winnipeg*; Dave Angus, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Mike Moffat, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority; Harry Finnigan, Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council; Jodene Baccus, University of Winnipeg; Laszlo Pinter, International Institute for Sustainable Development; Merrell-Ann Phare, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources; Noralou Roos, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy/University of Manitoba; Melissa Hotain, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs; Tammy Gibson, Province of Manitoba*; Tim Hibbard, Government of Canada Western Economic Diversification.

    • Engagement Group Members: Amanda Shindak, Coordinator Coalition of Community Based Youth Serving Agencies; Beth McKechnie, Resource Conservation Manitoba Active Transportation; Carolee Buckler, Sustainable Development Coordinator Manitoba Education Citzenship and Youth; Cathy Woods, Manitoba Government and General Employees Union; Dan Prokopchuk, City of Winnipeg Community Services; Dina Juras, National Crime Prevention Centre; Donald Benham, Social Planning Council; Ian Anderson, Society For Manitobans With Disabilities; Ian Hall, City of Winnipeg; Jan Forster, Family Services and Housing; Jino Distasio, University of Winnipeg Institute of Urban Planning; John Coombs, Independent Expert; Johnny Sopotiuk, Canadian Federation of Students; Josie Hill, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre; Kathy Knight, Information & Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba; Kathy Knudsen, City of Winnipeg Community Services Department; Laurie Monk, Manitoba Justice; Linda Lalonde, International Centre of Winnipeg; Marcia Thomson, Canadian Mental Health and Homelessness Initiative; Marcelo Navarro, Department of Housing and Community Development; Marie Bouchard, Winnipeg Foundation; Pat Sanders, Manitoba Arts Council; Markus Lipnicki, Destination Winnipeg; Mike Scatliff, Scatliff Miller Murray; Nadalene Khan Cooper, Intergovernmental Affairs; Nicole Chammartin, Canadian Mental Health Association Winnipeg Region; Brent Dixon, Winnipeg School Division; Pricilla Boucher, Assiniboine Credit Union; Rick Lambert, Sport Manitoba Inc.; Dr. Sande Harlos, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA); Terry Zdan, University of Winnipeg Centre for Sustainable Transportation; Tom Carson, Canada West Foundation; Vaska Miteva Karamanova, Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services Inc.; Veronica Dyck, Government of Manitoba; Wanda Yamamoto, Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc.; Wadood Ibrahim, Protegra.

    • Indicators Working Group Members:Bohdanna Kinasevych, Health in Common; Brendan Reimer, Canadian Community Economic Development Network; Charles Burchill, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy; Clark Brownlee, Right to Housing Coalition; Colleen Metge, Winnipeg Health Authority; Darren Lezubski, Statistics Canada; Donald Benham, Social Planning Council; Erin Anderson, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba; Jaqueline Storen, Manitoba Bureau of Statistics; Jason Granger, Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council; Ken Murdoch, Former Chair SEED Winnipeg Inc.; Margaret Haworth Brockman, Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence; Nikki Issac, Family Services and Housing, Province of Manitoba; Peter Marr, City of Winnipeg Community Services; Shauna MacKinnon, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives; Teresa Mayer, Healthy Child Manitoba Office.

    • Interviewees: Age & Opportunity (Amanda Macrae, Deborah Lorteau, & Stacey Miller), Clark Brownlee, Claudine Campbell, Darlene Klyne, Elmwood Parent Council, Erin Anderson, Greta Hanslip, Ian Anderson, Ida Flett, Jason Granger, Kristine Vielfaure, Lonny Fraser, Marc Kuly, Marcelo Navarro, Marianne Cerilli, Noralou Roos, Phil Chiapetta, Rhoda Mamakeesic, Shirin Faraq, Tiffany Mamakeesic, Valerie Wolbert, Wanda Yamamoto

    Website Structure

    Structured Dynamics (SD) is the lead technical developer for Peg, being responsible for all data access, management, development and visualization software for the site. As part of its Open Semantic Framework, based on the Citizen Dan local government appliance, SD contributed and extended major open source software for Peg. These contributions included the structWSF Web services framework, conStruct modules for linking the system into Drupal, and the Flex-based semantic Components including the explorer, map, story viewer, browse/search, dashboard, workbench and back office widgets. Structured Dynamics is a noted innovator in linked data and the semantic Web. It is based in Iowa City, Iowa, USA, with offices in Québec City, Québec.

    Website Design

    Tactica Interactive is the creative and visual styling lead for Peg, providing design services, creative and usability consultation, and technical design and styling implementation. Tactica is an award-winning interactive digital media studio creating websites, mobile apps, games, and social media & online marketing strategies.

    Beyond those group members mentioned above, a number of individuals and organizations provided additional insight on the issue of poverty and indicators including, for example, United Way’s Urban Exchange panellists and the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council’s Community Representatives.

    Story Concept Development

    Deepak Sahasrabudhe of Soma TV.

    Peg Project Group

    Charles Thrift (IISD), Christa Rust (IISD), Connie Walker (United Way of Winnipeg), Darren Swanson (IISD), Heather Block (United Way of Winnipeg), László Pintér, Jason Manaigre (IISD), Rick Groom (IISD), Sue Barkman (IISD) with assistance from students Molly Johnson & Bobbie Macdonald. And thanks to the early work of Carla Kematch (formerly with United Way).