Image: Joshua Swain
The 2019 Our City report is a window into how Winnipeg is progressing and where we need to focus more energy to move toward targets set by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a reminder that we need to do more than care—we need to measure how Winnipeg is doing and then act to create a thriving community for all people.
View/download 2019: Our City (PDF)
The report comes from Peg—an online tool that graphically presents more than 60 data indicators to shed light on the well-being of our city and encourage evidence-based policy.
As a collaboration by United Way Winnipeg and the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Peg is a way to not only measure our progress but also inspire Winnipeggers to work together towards positive change in our community and beyond.
Peg provides leaders in all sectors of our city with knowledge and insights to see how we can make a difference and ensure that nobody is left behind.
Jane McDonald, Interim President and CEO at IISD, says the report shows we have more work to do.
“You’ll see a trend across several indicators where data is tracked by neighbourhood: we’re leaving people behind. Economic, educational, and health outcomes varied widely depending on where you live in our city. Progress has not been consistent.”
Highlights from the 2019 Our City report
- Median Household Income rose 18.4 percent from 2005 to 2015, but has remained relatively unchanged in the last five years
- Winnipeg average: $49,790 to $58,935
- Greatest change: Inkster ($49,799 to $61,079)
- Smallest change: Assiniboine South ($74,922 to $75,787)
- Average House Price rose 52.8 percent from 2008 to 2018 ($196,940 to $301,050)
- GDP or Gross Domestic Product rose 25.4 percent from 2008 to 2018 ($34.5 billion to $43.3 billion in 2012 dollars)
- Educational Attainment, or the amount of education Winnipeggers have received, improved from 2006 to 2016 with:
- A drop in Winnipeggers with no high school diploma (23.1 percent to 16.9 percent)
- A rise in Winnipeggers with a university certificate, degree or diploma (19.4 percent to 26.1 percent)
- Core Housing Need (households whose housing costs more than 30 percent of their income, requires major repairs, or is not big enough for their family size) has gotten worse, moving from 10.4 percent to 12.1 percent from 2006 to 2016
- Market Basket Measure, or the percentage of persons in poverty, is Canada’s official poverty line. The Winnipeg rate rose slightly from 2007 to 2017 (9.1 percent to 9.5 percent) though there has been a notable improvement compared to spikes in the intervening decade
- Several environmental measures have shown progress
- Residential Waste Going to Landfill has dropped from 2008 to 2018 (349.4 kg. per capita to 228.3 kg. per capita)
- Water Use has dropped from 2008 to 2018 (286 daily litres per capita to 223 daily litres per capita)
The report points out local successes to celebrate while raising red flags on other issues, particularly gaps in progress between neighbourhoods.
Winnipeg indicators connected to global targets
Peg directly aligns its indicators with the SDGs adopted in 2015 by all UN Member States. The 2019 Our City report explains this alignment for six of the 17 SDGs.
The SDGs are a call to act by 2030, promoting prosperity while protecting the planet. Combining them with Peg’s local indicators shows us how we’re doing on a range of global goals. We all have a role to play, and Peg shows us how local actions are an important part of responding to a global vision for a better world.
Measurement is a tool for progress
Measurement is central to knowing how we are doing as a community, and how we are progressing globally toward SDG targets.
“While caring is important, a core belief behind Peg is that it’s not enough,” said Connie Walker, President and CEO of United Way Winnipeg.
“We actually need to measure to really know how our city is doing. Once we know we can celebrate where we’re doing well and work together where we need to see improvement.”
Ultimately, the 2019 Our City report is a local call to action to create that improvement. It highlights trends that reveal where we must adjust our efforts and focus our energy to lift up the people who need lifting in our city, so nobody is left behind.
View/download 2019: Our City (PDF)
Learn more about Peg here, or use the left-hand navigation to explore all Peg indicators.
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