Media Release-Stakeholders Join to Take Action on Poverty on PEI

Stakeholders Join to Take Action on Poverty on PEI

CHARLOTTETOWN-

Islanders from diverse interest positions including government, business, community organizations and the public have joined together to create the PEI Poverty Reduction Network (PRN). The new initiative is made up of representatives of: the provincial government; the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce; the PEI Council on the Status of Women; Cooper Institute; the Council for People with Disabilities; Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI; the Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin; St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Redeemer Parish; newcomers’ community; and students.

“We saw the need for a strong group of stakeholders to begin to create some momentum on poverty as the statistics have shown that things have not improved and are actually getting worse across Canada,” stated Charlottetown MP Shawn Murphy.

The group that has met numerous times, beginning in January 2008, is looking at creative policies for all PRN members to sign on to and strategies to raise the issue to one of utmost importance for all governments to address. “We have known for sometime that there is not just one thing that needs to be changed to reduce poverty but a number of actions and policy at all levels. Changes in public policy along with change in community attitudes are essential in this process. There has been great work done in other jurisdictions such as Quebec and Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island has much to learn from their poverty strategies,” commented Marie Burge of Cooper Institute.

“There is great potential here to influence government decision makers towards proactive changes. With the tough economic concerns that are arising this is the best time to start taking action to help individuals and families living with the realities of poverty,” argued Judy Barrett, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Redeemer Parish.

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For Information:

Marie Burge
894-4573