The Government of the Northwest Territories is now taking steps to address poverty in the territory through the development of an anti-poverty strategy.
In response to calls from a growing number of social organizations in February 2010 the government passed a motion to develop a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy for the Northwest Territories. The government plans to produce a discussion paper and consult with residents on an anti-poverty strategy prior to the next territorial election, scheduled for October 3, 2011.
As part of this process from October 5 to 7, 2010 the No Place for Poverty Anti-Poverty workshop in Yellowknife brought together representatives from 29 organizations now calling for a strategy together with national political leaders, service providers and anti-poverty advocates to start a dialogue about poverty issues and priorities. More than 80 social justice advocates, political leaders and people living in poverty came together to offer broad, community-based input to guide the design of a Northwest Territories Anti-Poverty Strategy. They have called on government, business, communities and non-government organizations to work in partnership from the community level to create a strategy based in legislation, to ensure long-term effort and accountability.
For updates on the development of the Northwest Territories Anti-poverty Strategy and to learn more about the No Place for Poverty Anti-Poverty workshop visit the Alternatives North website at www.alternativesnorth.ca
Poverty in the Northwest Territories
As the Northwest Territories have no formal definition of poverty it is difficult to collect statistics on poverty in the territory, but studies have shown that:
- 1,000 women in the Northwest Territories are homeless.
- Twenty per cent of households in the Northwest Territories live below a $30,000 annual income, including up to 50 per cent of households in smaller communities.
- Forty per cent of households with a senior have annual incomes less than $30,000.
The Plan
Still in development
Take Action
The Northwest Territories is doing its part to address poverty but the provinces and territories need federal support to significantly reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty in Canada. That’s why we’re calling on Canada to adopt a national poverty-reduction strategy.
Support a National Poverty Reduction Strategy
Resources
Media
No Place for Poverty Anti Poverty Workshop is Next Step Towards NWT Strategy.
No Place for Poverty: Anti Poverty Recommendations Stress Cooperation and Inclusion
Documents
Government Sites
Minister’s Statement - Poverty in the Northwest Territories
Other Sites
