Government of Canada concludes Tackling Poverty Together Project case study visit in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
News Release
June 13, 2017 Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, thanked the Government of the Northwest Territories, the City of Yellowknife and all participants for taking part in the Tackling Poverty Together (TPT) Project in the community of Yellowknife. The Government of Canada is committed to tackling poverty and inequality to achieve real results.
TPT is intended to inform the development of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy and allow the Government of Canada to hear directly from Canadians living in poverty and learn from organizations that deliver poverty reduction programs at the community level. The project has explored the unique characteristics of and perspectives on poverty experienced in each of the communities, and identify local solutions and suggestions to reduce poverty.
The community visit in Yellowknife, which took place from May 15 to 19, was the sixth and last case study to be completed. During the visit, 136 people with lived experience of poverty were consulted through focus groups and one-on-one interviews. Two roundtable sessions with 16 participants were also conducted. These individuals represented a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholder organizations, including community organizations involved in poverty reduction initiatives, as well as federal, provincial and municipal government representatives. In total, over 724 Yellowknife residents also participated in a telephone, online or in-person survey. The feedback collected will provide valuable information which will help in the development of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Overall, the case studies conducted within the six communities has been an excellent opportunity to better understand how poverty impacts the lives of Canadians.
The Government of Canada will release its findings on the TPT Project later this year. All Canadians are encouraged to learn more about what is happening in the Poverty Reduction Strategy consultations by visiting the webpage or joining the online conversation (#ReducePoverty on Twitter and follow @SocDevSoc).
Quotes
“Poverty affects 3 million Canadians and half of them are children; the development of this Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy is important to attaining our vision of a diverse prosperous and truly inclusive country. I want to thank the people in Yellowknife for sharing their experiences with poverty. Working in partnership with all Canadians will help us to develop and deliver a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy that reflects the experience of Canadians living in poverty and the organizations that support them.”
- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“I am thankful that the people of Yellowknife have been open in sharing their lived experience in poverty. These shared experiences will be important in developing the Poverty Reduction Strategy. Reducing poverty in our community will take all levels of government and partners to ensure that everyone is included in the growth and prosperity of the Northwest Territories.”
- Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories
Quick Facts
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In 2014, 3 million Canadians—8.8 percent of the population— lived in poverty. This included more than half a million children.
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Unattached people aged 45 to 64, single parents, recent immigrants, Indigenous people and people with disabilities are more likely to experience poverty.
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In 2014, about 746,000 Canadians lived in families that worked but were poor.
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In 2014, Canada’s low-income rate for seniors was 3.9 percent.
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In 2011, over 655,000 Canadian households spent at least 50 percent of their income before taxes on housing. About 90 percent of these households were low-income.
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Contacts
Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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