Newfoundland and Labrador
Poverty Reduction Strategy

Time Period

2005-2014

Jurisdictional Focus

Newfoundland and Labrador

Key Players:

Danny Williams (Premier of Newfoundland)

Aisling Gogan (Founding Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Poverty Reduction Strategy)


Interdepartmental Working Group: Minister for Human Resources, Labour & Employment; Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, Labour Relations Agency, Workplace Health, Safety & Compensation Commission and Labrador Affairs; Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs; Minister of Education; Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; Minister of Finance; Minister of Health and Community Services; Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development; Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat; Minister of Justice.

Relevant Report(s) Produced:

Reducing Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador: Working Towards a Solution (2005)

Reducing Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (2006)

Newfoundland and Labrador Poverty Reduction Strategy: Progress Report (2014)

Initiative Summary:

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Poverty Reduction Strategy is a 10-year initiative aiming to transform the province from having one of the highest levels of poverty in Canada to having the lowest. The strategy was created in a highly collaborative manner, involving an inter-departmental working group of 13 governmental departments and agencies. It was also informed by an extensive public consultation process in June and July of 2005, spurred on by the public release of a document titled, Reducing Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador: Working Towards a Solution. This document contained both a background report presenting research on the issue of poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador, and a workbook portion to guide readers through the feedback process.

While Newfoundland and Labrador’s Poverty Reduction Strategy does not pertain solely to disability income supports, people with disabilities are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador, and there is not a specific income support program for people with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Instead, individuals with disabilities receive income support through the same program as their peers without disabilities, but may be eligible for additional benefits through the provincial Department of Health and Community Services or through the province’s regional health authorities.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy initiative continues in Newfoundland and Labrador today, and recently released a report on its progress in June, 2014.