Learn more about the Government of Canada’s Consultation Process for a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.
On February 13th, Minister Jean-Yves Duclos launched a consultation process for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. Dignity for All is encouraged to see that the federal government is moving forward in its commitment to develop a national anti-poverty strategy. We want to make sure these consultations are accessible and that both individuals and civil society organizations have a say in how the strategy is shaped.
Are you looking to take action and have your say in the consultations? If so, click here to find resources created by Dignity for All to inform and support engagement in the government consultations!
In preparation for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy, grassroots organizations are planning to host in-person consultations in communities across the country. See a full schedule of events here.
The government of Canada has issued a public call for nominations for a Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty, which will assist the Minister and ESDC in review of the consultation and development of the national strategy. Applications were due on March 27th 2017 and divided into two categories:
- The government is looking for leaders, practitioners, and experts in poverty reduction from areas such as academia, service delivery and business, as well as international academics or researchers on poverty.
- A second call for applications to the advisory committee has been issued for persons with lived experience of poverty.
The government consultation process features online options for members of the public to share ideas and respond to questions that will inform the development of the national strategy, including a discussion forum, individual and organizational surveys, and a story sharing forum. The various online options are open to the public until June 30, 2017.
In order to assist individuals and organizations with this part of the consultation, Dignity for All has developed materials that outline the necessary framework and policies that should make up a comprehensive national strategy. The specific areas of focus in these materials are: income security; housing and homelessness; health; food security; jobs and employment; early childhood education and care; and the human rights approach.
We also have developed a form letter that can be easily signed, customized with your own thoughts and perspective, and sent to the federal government to clearly share what you want to see in the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. Visit our Take Action page for more information.
In October 2016, the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities began a study on Poverty Reduction Strategies. The committee received 41 briefs from organizations across the country, including from Dignity for All co-leads CPJ and CWP.
To read these submissions, click here.
Please note that this information is intended to help spread the word about the existing government process and Dignity for All does not have a formal role in the government consultations.
I’m not sure how to join this “live” townhall – so for what it’s worth – any national effort, any strategy, any plan, any policy or any program developed to deal with poverty and its reduction or elimination – has to take a differentiated approach. It must acknowledge and specifically address the unique and different circumstances and lived realities of each of the historically disadvantaged and systematically marginalized groups in Canada – First Peoples, peoples of colour, single mothers, persons with (dis)abilities, LGBTQ community members, single adults, and youth – and the intersections of these ! So any federal initiative need track each of these groups over time – with appropriate data capture tools, techniques and templates – in order to determine and best ensure that all groups of people are in fact benefiting from any and all of the interventions – and doing do equitably !!
Email me contact info.
I know far too much about far too many poverty issues not even considered yet…
Martin