Minister Duclos takes another step in developing the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy

OTTAWA, Sept. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada is a prosperous country, but 3 million Canadians live in poverty. The Government of Canada believes that every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance at success and is determined to help more Canadians join the middle class and stay there.

That is why the Government has committed to develop a Canadian Poverty Strategy to improve the economic well-being of all Canadian families. In support of this commitment, the Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, met this week with approximately 100 stakeholders from across the country who gathered in Ottawa at the National Poverty Conference.

Starting on September 26, Minister Duclos attended the first meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty in Gatineau, Quebec. The newly formed Advisory Committee will provide valuable advice and input to the Minister on a range of poverty-related issues that will in turn inform the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.

On the following day, the Minister attended a workshop with academics and researchers from across Canada and abroad to discuss poverty, with a specific focus on how to measure poverty, and identify where gaps exist when it comes to federal programs. The participants discussed topics such as the importance of meeting basic needs, including vulnerable people in society, and providing equal opportunities for Canadians to succeed. In addition, they looked at setting poverty-reduction targets, and discussed Canada's income security system.

Today, academics and researchers, stakeholders, front-line service providers as well as members of the Advisory Committee on Poverty participated in the National Conference on Poverty to discuss what was heard from Canadians during the consultation process. During the conference, Ference and Company presented the key findings and knowledge gathered during the Tackling Poverty Together research project, which closely examined poverty with extensive case studies in six cities across Canada. In addition, as part of the recent #ReducePoverty in Canada Contest for youth aged 12 to 24 years old, the innovative, passionate and inspired entries of five young Canadians were presented to the Conference participants.

Quote

"I was pleased with all the discussions that took place during the week of the National Poverty Conference. By working together, we can make a difference in reducing poverty in our communities, and help all Canadians have a real and fair chance to succeed."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

In 2015, 3.2 million Canadians (9.2 percent of the population) lived with low income. This included more than half a million children.

Unattached people aged 45 to 64, single parents, recent immigrants, Indigenous people and people with disabilities are most likely to experience poverty.

In 2015, about 701,000 Canadians lived in families that worked but were poor, and Canada's low-income rate for seniors was 4.4 percent.

Canadians are invited to visit Canada.ca/reduce-poverty to learn more about the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Associated Links

• Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Towards a Poverty Reduction Strategy: Discussion Paper
• Advisory Committee News Release (TBD)

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada