The GNWT released a renewed territorial action plan to help guide work with partners, communities and residents to reduce poverty and promote wellness priorities.
The plan (Working Together II – An Action Plan to Reduce Poverty in the NWT 2019-2022) highlights the initiatives and activities that partners have identified as key to working together to reduce poverty in the NWT.
The plan also continues to reflect the guiding principles from the first Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan of:
- respect and equality are essential to anti-poverty work;
- people are our most important resource; and
- how we do things is as important as what we do.
Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services states that the renewed action plan strengthens the GNWT’s ability to work collaboratively with partners to address poverty in our communities.
“Through new approaches like the creation of working groups on income support, food security and setting targets for poverty reduction, our government will continue to do its part to provide NWT residents with programs and services that address immediate needs and provide a path out of poverty.”
In a press release, the DHSS notes that the GNWT allocates $1,000,000 annually from the Anti-Poverty Fund to Indigenous, regional, and community-based groups for projects to reduce poverty. They added that since 2014, the fund has touched the lives of 13,000 people through various programming initiatives.
The renewed action plan was informed by the participants at the most recent Anti-Poverty Roundtable held in Norman Wells and will continue to build upon the five pillars of the NWT’s strategic framework for the reduction and elimination of poverty:
- Children and Family Support,
- Healthy Living and Reaching Our Potential,
- Safe and Affordable Housing,
- Sustainable Communities, and
- Integrated Continuum of Services.
The Action Plan is a living document that will be updated through annual Anti-Poverty Roundtables, the next of which is planned for Fort Simpson.
