Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Poverty was the overwhelming theme at the Legislative Assembly Wednesday afternoon.

Several MLAs questioned cabinet members about how they plan to deal with the problem. Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro questioned Premier Bob McLeod about an anti-poverty strategy for the NWT.

She said it is extremely important to have many voices help draft the long-term plan, not just bureaucrats.

"Without casting any aspersions on the abilities of the people on the advisory council that we have a huge amount of expertise, some of which is displayed in the gallery, but the Anti-Poverty Coalition is some 26 or 29 member groups and I feel that we are drafting in a vacuum if we don't involve them."

McLeod said there is already a discussion paper on what is being done for poverty reduction in the NWT right now.

"What some of the findings are with regards to the discussion that we held with Northerners and ways to improve the well-being and self-reliance of Northwest Territories residents."

Bisaro likes the idea of a paper, but said there still is not much chance for the public or concerned parties to have a say on poverty in the NWT.

Bob Bromley also asked what the government can do to help ease the burden on families, while Daryl Dolynny suggested a business tax incentive for poverty.

CJCD Mix 100 News

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