Nunavut MLA calls for anti-poverty strategy
Last Updated: Monday, February 25, 2008 | 11:23 AM CT
CBC News
Cambridge Bay MLA Keith Peterson called on the Nunavut government to develop an anti-poverty strategy, out of concerns that many Nunavummiut are struggling to get by.
Speaking in the legislative assembly Friday, Peterson cited statistics released in 2006 by the National Council of Welfare, which found the number of Nunavut residents who received welfare went up by 60 per cent between 2004 and 2005.
Peterson said the cost of living in Nunavut has risen since the report came out, urging the government to come up with a territory-wide anti-poverty plan.
"I'm asking the premier, will he commit today to the house to establish a government of Nunavut interdepartmental working committee to address poverty, growing poverty in Nunavut?" Peterson said Friday.
He added that while several government departments have some responsibility over poverty-related issues, there is no singular department in charge.
Premier Paul Okalik agreed that the government needs to do more to address poverty, even though it is trying to boost the economy, develop more jobs, and have more Nunavummiut educated and trained.
"We have been doing as much as we can to make sure that we get out of the vicious welfare cycle," Okalik said.
"Once a person is working, they tend to be healthier and have a much positive lifestyle."
Okalik said he would look into Peterson's suggestion for an anti-poverty strategy.
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