Bob Bromley

Thank you. I have no further questions.

I’m glad we are working on a poverty strategy. I think there are probably a couple of different interpretations on the work that’s been done to date; however, I won’t dwell on that.

Representatives of the Anti-Poverty Alliance met recently with the Priorities and Planning committee to discuss developments on creation of an Anti-Poverty Strategy, and they also plan to meet with Cabinet in the new year, I believe, in January. Given the broad-based called for creation of a strategy, the unfulfilled promises of the last government and a promise to make an Anti-Poverty Strategy a priority from 18 of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are also for the Premier today. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement. Clearly, the statistics describe the vast disparity in household incomes between our richest and poorest citizens. I would appreciate a general reaction on this from the Premier. It’s obvious that these are trustworthy numbers and the trend is not a good one. Does the Premier agree that we can’t really claim to have a just and equitable society when some people have so much and increasing numbers of other people struggle to survive on so little? Thank you.

Twenty-six of the NWT’s foremost advocacy groups – the Dene Nation has just signed on – and four municipalities have insisted we sit down with businesses, communities, organizations and those living in poverty, to create a strategic multi-faceted approach to help our citizens out of poverty.

I will be asking the Premier questions on his plans for carrying these commitments forward. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the following document, entitled “Average Household Income by Lowest and Highest Income Group, Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2009.” Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess, just briefly, I would be interested to learn what possibilities there are for support from the federal government to deal with these issues based on the Minister’s visit. Thank you.

I appreciate that all those discussions are being had and are ongoing but, obviously, the need is only growing, so we really want on-the-ground actions. I guess my next question will be when can we see recommendations coming forward that we can actually get going on the ground. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question for the Premier is: The request for an Anti-Poverty Strategy calls for its creation through a broad process involving businesses, communities, organizations, labour, and people living in poverty. Will the Premier commit to just such a process? Thank you.

Thank you for that response from the Premier. I think it’s well known that this government is spending a lot on these issues and particularly in the area of housing. That’s certainly got a lot of national attention lately. Yet, clearly, the income disparity increases. The number of people living in poverty, that proportion of their income doesn’t change and gradually worsens, relative to our high income people. There is still some work to be done and I think that’s what we’re all about today.

Many other Canadian jurisdictions have pursued the approach of anti-poverty strategies. Their...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a number of people in the gallery today. Suzette Montreuil from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith is here; Lorraine Hewlett, chair of the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Regional Women’s Committee; Julie Green, director of community relations, YWCA Yellowknife; Aggie Brockman from Alternatives North; Arlene Hache, executive director, Centre for Northern Families; Dayle Hernblad, Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition; Katie Randall, Valerie Miyok, Jeremy Flatt, and Amanda Mallon, board members of the NWT Literacy Council...