Government to Hold Poverty Reduction Consultations

The provincial government will hold a series of consultations this fall designed to get the community's input on how to best tackle poverty in Nova Scotia.

The consultations will be part of the government's development of a poverty strategy for Nova Scotia. The initiative will be co-led by the departments of Community Services and Environment and Labour.

The first phase of consultations will consist of a two-day gathering held Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 with representatives from a diverse range of provincial organizations interested in the fight against poverty.

"We all want and deserve the same thing -- a decent job to meet our needs, to lead a fulfilled life, and have a role in our community," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "It is our hope that this consultation process and Poverty Reduction Strategy will help us achieve that for all Nova Scotians."

"One of the main goals of the consultations is to share information in an effort to chart a direction," said Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services. "We will use the information gathered from these discussions to build on what we have already heard from those involved in the struggle against poverty."

Phase two of the consultations will include opportunities for the public to give their input on what direction the strategy should take.