Everyone has the right to a life without poverty.
To keep people out of poverty, we need to fix the systems that create it.
Learn more about Maytree
Why we need a human rights-based approach to poverty
A human rights-based approach to poverty puts people first. It examines how our systems create the conditions that trap people in lives where dignity is out of reach. It empowers each of us to call upon our governments to actively change and build the systems we need to protect our human rights. It measures progress by the impact our collective actions have on people’s daily lives.
Learn moreExplore how we change systems
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Policy
Maytree advances evidence-based policy solutions that protect and promote economic and social rights for all people in Canada, with an emphasis on prioritizing those most in need.
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Data & measuring
Find the latest data for the number of social assistance recipients and welfare incomes in every province and territory.
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Accountability
We support the creation of accountability institutions, such as dedicated offices for commissioners and advocates. We collect and analyze data that can be a tool to hold governments accountable.
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Participation
We support and advocate for rights-based participation, so people and communities have meaningful opportunities to participate in the public decisions that affect them.
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Intersections
Our work on advancing economic and social rights raises the question: what if we built all of our systems on a foundation of human rights?
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Maytree advances evidence-based policy solutions that protect and promote economic and social rights for all people in Canada, with an emphasis on prioritizing those most in need.
Learn moreFind the latest data for the number of social assistance recipients and welfare incomes in every province and territory.
Learn moreWe support the creation of accountability institutions, such as dedicated offices for commissioners and advocates. We collect and analyze data that can be a tool to hold governments accountable.
Learn moreWe support and advocate for rights-based participation, so people and communities have meaningful opportunities to participate in the public decisions that affect them.
Learn moreOur work on advancing economic and social rights raises the question: what if we built all of our systems on a foundation of human rights?
Learn moreLatest insights and stories
Latest from our publications and stories.
See all-
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Home Truths: My book for every Canadian who cares about housing
Article December 16, 2024 -
Remembering Ken Battle
Article November 26, 2024 -
un/SHELTERED: Finding Solutions
Event December 13, 2024 -
Advocating for Canadian women’s housing rights at a United Nations forum in Geneva
Story December 5, 2024 -
Why the Canada Disability Benefit won’t end disability poverty, and how it could
Article December 10, 2024
Dive deeper
A fully housed Toronto
Maytree partnered with local newspaper West End Phoenix to examine Toronto’s housing crisis through a human rights lens.
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Advancing justice
In 2021 and 2022, under the guidance of outside experts, Maytree delved into the relationship between human rights, poverty, racism, and the criminal justice system.
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Poverty and human rights in Canada
For this special series, we brought together the voices of leading thinkers, activists and political leaders who are working on economic and social rights in Canada.
Learn more >Learn moreBe inspired
Five Good Ideas
Five Good Ideas is a lunch-and-learn program where subject-matter experts discuss powerful and practical ideas about key issues facing non-profit organizations. The sessions are most useful for management staff and board members at small and mid-sized non-profits.
Learn moreRecent Five Good Ideas sessions:
Communications
Five Good Ideas on how to use persuasive messaging for advocacy
How can we develop messages that are sharp, compelling, and actually persuade audiences to act?
Organizational Effectiveness
Five Good Ideas to foster IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Leading to belonging) principles at your workplace
Ingrid Palmer talks about when a workplace is inclusive, both the organization and the employees thrive.
Organizational Effectiveness
Five Good Ideas for being inclusive of Indigenous Peoples
Bob Goulais explores some wise practices to be more inclusive of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
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