Quebec has been one of the most progressive provinces so far taking action on poverty. It was the first province in the country to introduce a legislated poverty reduction strategy.
A broad based provincial coalition of individuals and community organizations was vital to getting the law passed as they created a massive petition to support the government’s proposed law, and held public consultations throughout the process.
In 2002, the Government of Quebec unanimously passed an Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion. The law has been praised for its comprehensiveness and defining poverty as more than just low income, including lack of “means, choices and power” as poverty indicators. In 2004, the Government of Quebec released its first 5-year action plan on poverty and in May 2010 released its second 2010-2015 action plan Quebec’s Combat Against Poverty.
The Plan
Goal
Quebec wants to reduce poverty in the province by half over 10 years, and achieve one of the lowest levels of poverty in the industrialized world by 2013.
Strategy
Quebec has set a high standard for the rest of Canada to follow. Its second plan has maintained many of the measures introduced by the first and has committed to take action that includes:
- Maintaining the Child Assistance and the Work Premium
- Introduction of a refundable Solidarity Tax Credit
- Investing in training and supporting access to employment
- Improving the disposable income of individuals on low incomes
- Supporting local and regional social initiatives
- Increasing access to social housing
Budget & Accountability
This is not just talk from the Quebec government. To achieve its goals Quebec’s plan comes with a budget of close to $7 billion over five years, $1.3 billion of it in new investments.
It offers accountability through an annual report on its progress from the Minister of Employments office, and it has established an advisory committee.
Progress Report
The poverty reduction strategy in Quebec has been a (partial) success. The proportion of people living on low incomes in Quebec has dropped from 19.3 % in 1997 to 11.8% in 2005. Economic growth is seen as a main factor behind this decline in poverty. With the impact of the recession however there are concerns that the plan offers only limited income security protection and limited improvements in the minimum wage and working conditions. It will take a continued commitment from the government, and pressure from the population, to ensure Quebec’s poverty reduction strategy becomes a success.
Take Action
Quebec 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
Documents
An Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
2004-2009 Government Action Plan to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
Government Sites
Government of Quebec: Fight Against Poverty and Social Exclusion
Government of Quebec: National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
Organizations
Collective for a Poverty Free Québec
