The Government of the Northwest Territories has released a renewed territorial action plan, Working Together II – An Action Plan to Reduce Poverty in the NWT 2019-2022, to help guide work with partners, communities and residents to reduce poverty and promote wellness priorities.
The new action plan highlights the initiatives and activities that partners have identified as key to working together to reduce poverty in the Northwest Territories.
The renewed action plan, informed by the participants at the most recent Anti-Poverty Roundtable held in Norman Wells, 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.
Working Together II is the culmination of many years of collaboration between governments, non-government organizations, Indigenous and community governments, businesses and NWT residents. This Action Plan 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
- Integrated Continuum of Services
The renewed Action Plan is a living document that will be updated through annual Anti-Poverty Roundtables.
Quote
“The renewed Territorial Action Plan to Reduce Poverty strengthens the GNWT’s ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders 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.”
- Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services
Quick Facts
- Working Together – An Action Plan to Reduce and Eliminate Poverty in the NWT was tabled June 1, 2015, in the Legislative Assembly.
- GNWT Anti-Poverty Action Plan Building on the Strengths of Northerners 2014/15-2015/16 was tabled in October 2013.
- Building on the Strengths of Northerners: A Strategic Framework toward the Elimination of Poverty in the NWT was tabled in June 2013.
- The GNWT allocates $1,000,000 annually from the Anti-Poverty Fund to Indigenous, regional, and community-based groups for projects to reduce poverty.
- Since 2014, the Anti-Poverty Fund has touched the lives of 13,000 people through various programming initiatives.
- Each year the GNWT hosts an Anti-Poverty Roundtable, this past year it was held in Hay River, the next is planned for Fort Simpson. Participants play a key role in guiding the content of the Action Plan.
Related Links
- Working Together II: An Action Plan to Reduce Poverty in the NWT
- Report on Progress under the Strategic Framework to Reduce Poverty in the NWT: 2013-2018
- www.antipovertynwt.ca
Media Contact:
Damien Healy
Manager of Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
1-867-767-9090 ext. 49034
Damien_Healy@gov.nt.ca