Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. As the name suggests, it is celebrated every year on October 17th throughout the world.
One of the main aims of this day is to make the voice of the poor heard. It represents an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and struggles of people living in poverty. It’s a chance for them to speak up and make their concerns heard, and it offers a moment to recognize that people living in poverty are in the forefront of the fight against poverty.
Poverty can and has been reduced in a number of Canadian jurisdictions. In 10 years, 13 vibrant communities have assisted over 202,931 people in their journey out of poverty, through new strategies that have produced substantive policy changes in areas such as transportation, housing, early learning and income supports. That’s not an empty claim. Four provinces have made investments in social assistance reform or have increased social assistance rates. Several have implemented new or increased tax credits for children and families.
Six provinces now have prescription drug, vision and dental plans for low-income residents. There have been increases to minimum wage legislation, working towards a living wage for low-income earners. Dear to MLA Bromley’s heart, five provinces have made investments in their children’s early years through daycare programs, family and literacy centres, and Ontario’s Best Start program. There is plenty of evidence to support what is working well in our provinces and territories.
Closer to home, here in the NWT, NGOs and other organizations have been working to highlight and move this issue forward for literally years now. They have been officially calling for action against poverty by the territorial government since December of 2009. Thankfully the Assembly has accepted the challenge to fight poverty, and Members and Ministers have been working diligently on an Anti-Poverty Strategy and framework for several years.
The GNWT document titled “Building on the Strength of Northerners: A Framework for Action on Poverty” is a basis, a start in moving forward on action to eliminate poverty in our territory. There is much work yet to be done, but we are at least started.
Today, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, is a call for us to act in solidarity against poverty and social injustice. As I have said before, together we can reduce poverty. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Before we continue, colleagues, I would like to welcome in the House someone who held every position in this Assembly, Mr. Anthony W.J. Whitford. Welcome back to the House, Tony.
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Also Mayor Heyck, mayor of Yellowknife, welcome to the House.
The honourable Member for Inuvik, Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
