Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS every person has the right to a standard of living adequate to the well-being of their families and themselves;

AND WHEREAS approximately 10 percent of Canadians, or 2.9 million people, lived in poverty in 2007;

AND WHEREAS in some NWT communities, up to 50 percent of households have a total income of less than $30,000;

AND WHEREAS 40 percent of NWT households with a senior have incomes below $40,000;

AND WHEREAS health indicators, educational achievement, child apprehension rates and family violence can be directly related to poverty;

AND WHEREAS poverty is human-made and can be overcome;

AND WHEREAS the GNWT currently has no official definition of poverty and no clear and integrated strategy to combat poverty;

AND WHEREAS it should be a priority goal of the GNWT to eradicate poverty in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS eradicating poverty will significantly contribute to the achievement of all of the Legislative Assembly’s goals and priorities;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that the government develop an Anti-Poverty Strategy for the Northwest Territories;

AND FURTHER, that the Premier initiate discussions towards this strategy in partnership

with business, organizations and those living in poverty;

AND FURTHER, that the government and partners start by developing a definition of poverty;

AND FURTHER, that the Anti-Poverty Strategy identify specific, measurable targets, with clear cross-departmental mechanisms for coordination and integration of actions;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the government provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.