Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we’re speaking about poverty, which is an issue in all our communities across the NWT. In the small communities it can be very difficult for people to get out of poverty because there are not as many opportunities. Here are some numbers that speak for themselves.
The employment rate in the territory is 67 percent, but in many of our small communities that rate drops into the 30 percent range. At the same time we have 19 percent of households in core need across the Northwest Territories. What this tells me is that if we can get more people into the workforce and if we can improve our housing situation, we’ll make a big difference.
In our Caucus priorities we talk about increasing job opportunities where they are most needed, addressing housing issues, and strengthening and diversifying our economy. We talk about decentralization of GNWT jobs, fairer rent scales for public housing, and infrastructure projects. These are all areas that will help to reduce poverty in the communities. I think we’re on the right track.
I look forward to working with Cabinet and other members of the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning to make sure that by the end of our four-year term we will be able to say that we have made a difference and have reduced poverty in the Northwest Territories.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
