Manitoba continues to be among the worst provinces for family and child poverty, according to a report that came out today.

According to the Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Card, released today by Campaign 2000 which is represented in Winnipeg by Winnipeg Harvest and the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, Manitoba has the highest child poverty rate in Canada.

"The situations remains what we would call a nightmare," said Sid Frankel, Professor of Social Work at the University of Manitoba and author of the report.

The report says that Manitoba's poverty rate is 27.5%, more than 10% higher than the national average and 4.5% higher than it was in 1989. That adds up to 81,970 children living in poverty.

The report recommends five steps that need to be taken to ensure no child lives in poverty.

Campaign 200 recommends targets, timelines and resources. Their suggestion is a reduction in the rate and depth of child poverty by 25% before 2023. Furthermore, they recommend a 25% decrease must be experienced by Indigenous and visible minority children.

The report also recommends work pay, including raising minimum wage to $15 per hour by the end of 2019.

"Basic income would be one way to begin to address child poverty," said Lorna Turnbull, Professor of Law at University of Manitoba. "Such a universal support would make a difference in the lives of children."

She also suggests that investments in child care would benefit the country in the future. Turnbull referred to a report that said for every $1 invested in child care, the economic impact down the road is between $2 and $8.

The report also recommends improving Manitoba's income support programs, making public services more accessible and higher quality, and decreasing neighbourhood deprivation.

Joy Black is a mother of two children who receives Employment and Income Assistance and lives in Manitoba Housing. She is also a Winnipeg Harvest volunteer. She knows how hard it can be on children who live in poverty.

"My children come home [and ask] I want to do this at school but it's this much money," Black said. "It is so important for your children's self-esteem to be able to participate in school activities, and it's so difficult to be able to afford things."

Their neighbourhood isn't safe for Black or her children. Her daughter has been assaulted, as has Black herself.

"It's hard," Black said through tears. "You want the best for your kids, but you can't give the best."

Campaign 2000 is calling on the provincial government to take a stand and end child poverty.