Minister Duclos announces membership of the Advisory Committee on Poverty

GATINEAU, QC, Sept. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a real and fair chance at success and achieving their full potential. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to developing a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy to help more Canadians join the middle class and stay there.

In support of this commitment, today the Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced members of a new Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty, which brings together a diverse group of 17 leaders, academic experts and practitioners working in the field of poverty reduction, and individuals who have experienced poverty first-hand, to provide expert advice on poverty-related issues.

Chosen from over 400 nominations from across Canada and internationally, the Committee members will provide valuable advice and input to the Minister on a range of poverty-related issues that will in turn inform the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. As part of its role, the Committee will act as a forum for information sharing and independent discussion on poverty and poverty reduction.

The Advisory Committee on Poverty is one of the many initiatives that the Government of Canada is undertaking to support the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy to improve the economic well-being of all Canadian families. From February to August, Minister Duclos led a nationwide consultation process to engage with Canadians on key issues related to poverty. Canadians were invited to participate in the online discussion to have their say on how to reduce poverty, as well as through in-person roundtables and town hall events.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with the latest activities about the Committee's initiatives to reduce poverty with #ReducePoverty.

Quote

"Poverty places a heavy burden on individuals and communities, and our government is committed to helping all Canadians have a real and fair chance to succeed. The top priority of our government is helping more Canadians join the middle class, and stay there. I would like to recognize all Canadians who were nominated for the Advisory Committee on Poverty and thank those who took the time to nominate them. I look forward to working with the newly formed Advisory Committee and to the valuable contribution each member will bring in our work to reduce poverty."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

• In 2015, 3.2 million Canadians (9.2 percent of the population) lived in poverty. This included more than half a million children.
• Unattached people aged 45 to 64, single parents, recent immigrants, Indigenous people and people with disabilities are most likely to experience poverty.
• In 2015, about 701,000 Canadians lived in families that worked but were poor. In 2015, Canada's low-income rate for seniors was 4.4 percent.
• Over 400 people were nominated and 17 were selected to be members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Poverty.
• The Committee will operate for a period of one year and will report to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
• Canadians are invited to visit Canada.ca/reduce-poverty to learn more about the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.
  

Related Products

• Biographies of the members of the Advisory Committee on Poverty

Associated Links

• Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Towards a Poverty Reduction Strategy: Discussion Paper

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada