Why prevent and reduce poverty?
Poverty is complex. At its most basic level, poverty means that a person's income falls short of meeting their essential needs. In many cases, this can mean that people have very low incomes. In other cases, people may have reasonable incomes but have needs that have very high expenses, for example, high cost prescriptions for medical needs. And beyond meeting basic needs, it is also important for people to be able to participate in their communities, enjoy their family and friends and have interests and activities. For those living in poverty, it can be difficult to do these things.
Poverty can increase the chance that people have poor health, higher stress, and live in inadequate housing. People who live in poverty are less likely to complete their education, have stable work and therefore may find it harder to adapt to the new needs of the workplace today. When children grow up in poverty, their chances of reaching their full potential in life are greatly reduced.
Why talk with Islanders about reducing poverty?
Most Islanders are doing well, but others are experiencing poverty or are at risk of doing so. Work needs to be done to prevent and reduce poverty. A discussion paper "Preventing and Reducing Poverty in Prince Edward Island: A Strategy for Engagement" has been written to help us begin thinking about poverty and how to respond to it in PEI.
Summary papers have also been prepared in English and French.
Please share your ideas
Community Services and Seniors has great interest in gathering feedback from Islanders about how to prevent and reduce poverty in Prince Edward Island. There are a number of ways you can share your ideas.
Nous aimerions connaître votre opinion.
E-mail: peipovertystrategy@gov.pe.ca
Mail or drop off written submissions to:
Community Services and Seniors
PO Box 2000,
2nd Floor Jones Building, 11 Kent St.
Charlottetown, PE
C1A 7N8
This information has been taken from www.gov.pe.ca