Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Poverty is a huge issue for NWT residents and I believe that this government can do better in our efforts to eradicate poverty. We have many programs and services in place, programs and services whose goal it is to assist our residents who are marginalized, programs and services to reduce the level and amount of poverty in our territory.
These many activities are not coordinated across our government system. They are not coordinated with the activities and programs of non-government organizations, and local and Aboriginal governments. There are gaps in the services out there to help our residents. There are holes in the poverty safety net.
By working together we can close those gaps, mend those holes and accomplish so much more than we can right now. A comprehensive, targeted strategy to address poverty in the NWT is of paramount importance and it is what is needed to assist our residents, our residents who are struggling to feel successful and to struggle to feel they are contributing members of our society.
The development of any government Anti-Poverty Strategy must be based in legislation, not just policy. To do otherwise will lead to failure. Without an anti-poverty act, long-term, coordinated efforts and accountability towards the eradication of poverty will both be lacking.
The development of any strategy or legislation must involve all parties, including businesses and those who are experiencing poverty. We will not succeed if it is developed in isolation by government alone.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Several Canadian jurisdictions have developed good strategies and have good legislation on which we can base our own strategy and our own act. Both New Brunswick and Newfoundland have enacted very successful legislation on which we can base an NWT act. Newfoundland, in fact, passed their bill unanimously December 6, 2006; that’s quite some time ago. Nunavut has started down the road towards an Anti-Poverty Strategy. They’re in the midst of a public engagement process and expect to have a strategy by the end of 2011; that’s this year. Anecdotal evidence suggests that they’ve already seen a reduction in the level of poverty amongst Nunavummiut.
As my colleague has mentioned already, the time has come for action. We need to move this issue forward. We can do it, so let’s get started.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
