Yellowknife is the latest community in a series of community conversations taking place across the country as part of Alternatives North’s Campaign 2000, a campaign to end child and family poverty.
Alternatives North held a roundtable yesterday which brought community organizations and political representatives to discuss poverty solutions, income security, and unaffordability in the NWT.
“Low income and other poverty indicators such as food insecurity tend to be much higher in the Northwest Territories not only because of the geographic location, but also because of ongoing effects of colonization.” National Director of Campaign 2000 Leila Sarangi said.
The discussion focused on community experiences of poverty, ideas for change and beginning efforts to see a poverty-free territory in the future.
Suzette Montreuil, a vocal member of Alternatives North says poverty is chronic across the territory but there may be hope based on significant policy changes.
“Good public practices like Basic Income Guarantee and employer commitments to a Living Wage would help significantly,” Montreuil said.
Alternatives North has been vocal about a Basic Income Guarantee in the territory since March of this year after presenting ‘Foundations for Action, Basic Income Guarantee for the NWT Report’ in a meeting with the GNWT.
