NB taking steps to fight poverty

Poverty isn't just about people living on the streets begging for money, or digging through garbage for daily meals.
It's more complex than that and it's everywhere in Canada. Families have had to choose between heating their homes and buying groceries, and some say the government should step in to help.
But fighting poverty isn't something the government can do alone, says Social Development Minister Mary Schryer.
"It's not just the responsibility of the government to reduce poverty, it's the responsibility of everyone," she said.
A public dialogue session, the first step in a three-part strategy designed to reduce poverty in New Brunswick, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Sackville Lions club.
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for New Brunswickers to take part in something that will (better the province)," Schryer said.
The three stages of the Bringing the Pieces Together strategy include dialogue sessions, round table discussions, and a final forum phase where suggestions will be presented to the premier, Schryer said. The process is expected to be completed later this year, resulting in a poverty reduction plan for the province.
"I brought the idea up to the premier in 2006. Other provinces have done it. I believe this is the best way to (reduce poverty.)"
In 2006, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador released a similar plan to reduce poverty in their province, which had the highest poverty rate in Canada. By talking to people in the province, the Newfoundland government discovered where key problems were for low-income families and addressed them.
"In Newfoundland, student fees were eliminated as a result of the program," Schryer said, adding that bringing the strategy to New Brunswick took a lot of planning and thought.
"At the end of it, there has to be a consensus and we need to think about what can we change to make things better."
The first step is designed to engage the province to brainstorm ideas related to financial problems, to gather a better understanding of the root of poverty, and think of ways to prevent it.
"We want to take the responses and turn them into something that will help the province," Schryer said.
A recent session in St. John had a turnout of 120, Schryer said.
"There have been numerous responses such as briefs and comments from people who have experience in the areas of shelters and soup kitchens, people who have experienced the climate of a small income."
Information gathered at the dialogue sessions will be evaluated and discussed at the round table, and the leaders of the poverty reduction plan will try to come up with solutions that work for everyone.
"At the final forum we will bring the top issues and corrective measures to the premier and we'll talk about the strategy and how it will work. We don't want to come to the table with 100 suggestions. We want to bring the three or four strongest that will change the poverty situation the most."