Poverty Reduction Strategy

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Nova Scotians should never have to go without basic needs like a place to sleep, or a nutritious meal. For many in this province, poverty can mean lack of good nutrition, health, educational opportunities, and employment prospects.

However, it is not only the poor who suffer the consequences of poverty. We all suffer when circumstances prevent so many among us from developing and contributing to our full potential.

As a government and a society, we want all Nova Scotians to be able to reach their full potential. There is no magic formula that will reduce poverty in the province. In fact, no one individual or group can successfully tackle the poverty problem. Our response, our action, and our plan must come from all of us.

Government, community groups, business, and everyday Nova Scotians all have a role to play.

Poverty impacts people in different ways and different forms and we must develop a strategy that takes that into consideration. Our plan really must be a made in Nova Scotia approach.

Government has a vision for Nova Scotia. A vision where every Nova Scotian can live a safe, healthy, and prosperous life. Every government department, no matter what their mandate, is working to achieve that.

At the Department of Labour and Workforce Development, we recognize the role that minimum wage plays in combating poverty. That is why we have worked to include members of the employer and employee community in the development of minimum wage proposals that are responsive to the needs of the current labour market

Although we are all working hard on the poverty issue, I know that we cannot build a strong province alone and we can not tackle our poverty problem alone.

Government needs your help.

I want to thank all Nova Scotians who participated in our questionnaire. We look forward to reviewing your feedback that will help us map out our plan that will make a measurable difference in combating poverty in Nova Scotia.

Sincerely,
Mark Parent
Minister of Environment and Labour