Public Consultations Announced Regarding Poverty Reduction Strategy
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
September 27, 2010
As part of an ongoing commitment to promote self-reliance, opportunity, and access to key supports for persons vulnerable to poverty, the Provincial Government today announced a series of public consultations regarding the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
“These consultations are being held so that members of the public can provide input that will inform our next four year Action Plan,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and lead minister of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. “Our strategy has created many positive outcomes since its launch four years ago, and feedback from residents played a vital role in achieving that success. I encourage the public to get involved in this upcoming process so we can maintain our momentum in the fight against poverty.”Fifteen public sessions will be held throughout the province. Individuals can also provide feedback via e-mail, regular mail or by telephone. In addition to the public sessions, focus groups and roundtable meetings will be held in various parts of the province. A discussion guide has been developed to help people participate in the consultations, and it is available via the Provincial Government website or upon request.
The Provincial Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy was launched in 2006 with a budget of more than $30 million to support 20 initiatives aimed at preventing, reducing, and alleviating poverty. Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future allocated $134 million to the strategy to support more than 80 ongoing initiatives. The strategy includes a commitment to consult with the public every two years to ensure initiatives reflect the priorities of provincial stakeholders. The upcoming consultation process marks the third set of poverty consultations held in this province, with previous consultations informing the first Action Plan and the first Progress Report.
“Addressing poverty restores the balance of opportunity for all, therefore poverty reduction is essential to building a truly prosperous province,” said Minister Sullivan. “Our provincial strategy should be a source of pride for all residents, as advocacy groups throughout the country now recognize Newfoundland and Labrador as a national leader with respect to addressing poverty. I look forward to hearing input from Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the coming weeks that will help us build on our ability to improve outcomes for people who are vulnerable to poverty.”
For further information about the consultations or to provide input, please use the following contact information:
Phone: 1-866-883-6600
TTY: 1-866-729-5440
Email: povertyreduction@gov.nl.ca
Website:http://www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/poverty/index.html
Mail:
Poverty Reduction Strategy Division
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6
The discussion guide for these consultations is available on-line at: http://www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/poverty/consultations.
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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
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