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 moreLatest insights and stories
Latest from our publications and stories.
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Latest count of social assistance recipients across Canada is now available
Report March 25, 2025 -
Why income support is good housing policy: A new case for a permanent housing benefit in Canada
Report March 12, 2025 -
“In the end, we’ll all just be a story” – Ken Battle made his worth remembering
Event recording February 21, 2025 -
A collaborative approach to supporting Black families in the child welfare system
Story February 25, 2025 -
Sheltering human rights: Why Toronto must act on Ombudsman’s recommendations
Opinion December 16, 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 moreUpcoming Five Good Idea sessions
Recent Five Good Ideas sessions:
Human Resources
Five Good Ideas on supporting caregivers at the workplace
In their Five Good Ideas webinar, Liv Mendelsohn and Christa Haanstra discussed how to build a culture that recognizes and values caregiving.
Leadership and Vision
Five Good Ideas on positive change in uncertain times
At a time of unprecedented polarization, conversations on anti-racism are more charged than ever.
Leadership and Vision
Five Good Ideas on working with youth to bridge the democratic deficit
Sharif Mahdy shared his five ideas on how effective youth-adult partnerships can bridge our democratic deficits.
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