This policy submission outlines concerns regarding the ongoing lack of in‑person Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) counter service and reduced capacity of CRA call centres and outreach services. It documents how these service gaps disproportionately affect low‑income individuals who face digital, language, literacy, and housing barriers, while increasing the burden on community‑serving organizations. The submission highlights the resulting delays in tax filing and access to essential income‑based benefits and calls for the reinstatement of in‑person CRA services, strengthened outreach capacity, and adequate call‑centre staffing to ensure equitable and timely access to CRA supports.

This policy submission raises concerns about the abrupt termination of the Canada–Manitoba Housing Benefit (CMHB) and the resulting impacts on low‑income renters across the province. It outlines how the loss of the program creates a significant gap in housing affordability, particularly given the shortage of social housing and the inadequacy of existing income assistance rates to cover private‑market rents. The submission highlights risks of housing instability for individuals who applied to CMHB or signed leases in good faith and calls for interim measures, including honouring pending applications, strengthening rental assistance programs, increasing social housing supply, and improving access to rent supports to prevent evictions and homelessness.

This policy submission examines how Manitoba’s tax system excludes individuals receiving Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) from full access to certain refundable provincial tax credits through the use of box 14 on Manitoba T5007 slips. It outlines how this policy creates inequities, reduces disposable income for low‑income renters, and complicates tax filing, leading to delays and financial harm. The submission calls for the removal of box 14 to restore access to tax credits available to other Manitobans, improve housing affordability, and promote a more equitable and efficient tax system during an ongoing affordability and housing crisis.

This budget submission outlines key policy recommendations aimed at improving the financial well‑being of low‑income Manitobans in the 2026 provincial budget. It calls for greater tax fairness by extending refundable Manitoba tax credits to individuals receiving income assistance, the introduction of birth certificate fee waivers for financially vulnerable populations, and targeted improvements to the Rent Assist program to address housing affordability gaps. The submission emphasizes that these measures would strengthen access to essential services, prevent housing instability, and promote a more equitable and cost‑effective approach to reducing poverty in Manitoba.

An estimated 75% of eligible people are not accessing the DTC or accessing other vital benefits such as the Canada Disability Benefit or the Registered Disabilities Savings Plan. SEED partnered with Momentum, Plan Institute, and the Disability Policy Research Program to address the barriers to accessing the Disability Tax Credit with a suggested alternative pathway to be established that grants automatic DTC eligibility to individuals already receiving disability benefits through provincial or territorial social assistance programs. The policy paper also advocates for improved supports for completing a DTC application for those who are not receiving provincial or territorial disability benefits. Through effective policy implementation, barriers to accessing the DTC can be reduced and help connect more people to benefits they are eligible for.

Thank you to the additional partners who provided feedback and support of this paper: Autism Calgary, the Aspire Collaborative, Community Unemployed Help Centre, Connections for Families, Disability Without Poverty, Manitoba Financial Empowerment Policy Committee, Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, Pulford Community Living Services, Scope Society, and Vibrant Communities Calgary.

This policy submission examines barriers to accessing foundational identification for financially vulnerable Manitobans, with a focus on birth certificate application fees as a key barrier. It outlines how lack of identification limits access to income supports, housing, employment, education, and essential services, and disproportionately impacts people experiencing homelessness, system transitions, and Indigenous communities. The submission calls for the introduction of a transparent and accessible birth certificate fee waiver program, alongside related measures to improve in‑person services and ID navigation supports, to promote equity, reduce administrative inefficiencies, and strengthen housing and financial stability.