The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is recognizing the 25th anniversary of the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with the release of an updated Guide to Programs and Services for Individuals and Families. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was first observed on October 17, 1993, as a day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.

The purpose of the Guide to Programs and Services for Individuals and Families, which can be found online at www.cssd.gov.nl.ca/guide_programs_services_2018.pdf, is to increase awareness of, and access to, programs and services, helping individuals and families more easily navigate systems. Printed copies of the guide will be distributed province-wide through Provincial Government offices and service centres, and community organizations.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to preventing, reducing and alleviating poverty. Budget 2018 invests more than $280 million in approximately 100 poverty reduction initiatives – the largest funding commitment the Provincial Government has ever provided for poverty reduction. A list of Budget 2018 initiatives and current priorities of the poverty reduction initiatives can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Provincial Government’s poverty reduction work aligns with The Way Forward. It includes a Health-in-All Policies approach, and builds on learnings from the Premier’s Task Force on Improving Educational Outcomes, and Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. This approach is also linked to other important initiatives, including those that focus on private sector job creation and economic growth, and implementing an individualized funding model for persons with disabilities.

The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quote “The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the impacts of poverty on individuals, families and communities in our province and around the world. It is also a time to envision a world without poverty and consider how we can work together towards realizing that vision. As a government, we are committed to poverty reduction and improving the strength and resiliency of our communities, and we will continue to strive towards the eradication of poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Learn More

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Guide to Programs and Services for Individuals and Families

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Poverty Reduction Initiatives

Budget 2018 Poverty Reduction Initiatives

Children, Seniors and Social Development

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @CSSD_GovNL

Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
GinaMacArthur@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Budget 2018 Commitments to Poverty Reduction Initiatives

Budget 2018 invests over $280 million for approximately 100 poverty reduction initiatives (an increase from $270M in Budget 2017 and $250M in 2016).

These investments include:

• $84.9 million for the Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement, including disability and child components, and enhancements to the Seniors’ Benefit
  • These benefits are paid directly to low-income individuals and families and are designed to mitigate tax increases.
• $2.2 million for the Adult Dental Health Care Program for individuals on a low income.
• $4.1 million in funding for the Home Energy Savings Program
• Increased funding for Women’s Centres across the province

The Provincial Government is committed to reducing, preventing and alleviating poverty and are undertaking work in line with The Way Forward to address priorities and gaps identified by community partners and people experiencing poverty.

The Provincial Government is working closely with the Federal Government to support the goals of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy and work to end homelessness

A number of Way Forward commitments are connected to poverty reduction and are being implemented with consideration of how such actions can help improve social and economic well-being for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians:

• Adopt a Health-in-All-Policies Approach
• Implementation of “Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for NL”
• Premier’s Task Force on Improving Educational Outcomes
• Provide Increased Educational Support to Disengaged and At-Risk Students and Youth
• Increase the Number of Social Enterprises in NL
• Implement an Individualized Funding Model
• One-Window, Multi-Year Community Grants
• Implement Client-Focused Interventions to Support Individuals with Complex Needs

The Provincial Government continues to work closely with community partners and the Federal Government to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty, and achieve better outcomes for low income Newfoundlanders and Labradorians