Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in February, this House passed a motion calling on the government to develop a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy for the Northwest Territories. This motion also noted the need to work with key stakeholders to develop a definition of poverty and to include measurable targets and mechanisms for cross-departmental coordination.
As Members know, addressing low income in the Northwest Territories is a complex matter that is linked to social, economic and cost of living conditions that exist in our communities.
Poverty strategy from jurisdictions in Canada often focus on activities that improve education and literacy, support people in finding employment and continue to improve access to child care and other factors that create barriers for individuals trying to improve their living conditions. The reality is that several of the strategic actions that have been advanced during this Assembly have been designed with similar objectives including strategic activities aimed at:
improving skills for living and working;
supporting economic diversification and working to maximize benefits from development;
expanding programming for children and youth;
encouraging healthy choices and addressing addictions;
taking steps to address factors that impact cost of living;
undertaking activities to improve shelter; and
ensuring support for families and individuals in need.
These actions build on many existing programs that are aimed to address low income and focus on the underlying causes of poverty. Our programs to support individuals in need are based on the Income Security Framework which emphasizes that programs should be designed to help ensure individuals in greatest need are able to meet their basic requirements for food, shelter and clothing and are in position to participate in community life.
Mr. Speaker, we are prepared to undertake the work required to develop an overarching discussion paper that would address issues of defining and measuring progress on poverty, summarize current programs and strategic direction related to reducing poverty and identify areas for further action.
This work cannot be done alone. We will establish an advisory committee with representatives from key stakeholder groups that will help guide this work. In addition, we will need to develop approaches for broader input from residents on issues associated with poverty. We also need the advice and input of Members of the Legislative Assembly and we need to ensure significant interdepartmental cooperation to reflect the complex nature of the subject matter.
I believe that this government’s priorities and actions are already focused on addressing the underlying causes of poverty. However, our fiscal environment requires us to continually examine our approaches to ensure our resources are being used in an effective manner. I am hoping that the work we are proposing will help identify areas where we can improve on our current activities. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
