"Preventing Poverty. Promoting Prosperity."

Earlier today, the Government of Nova Scotia released "Preventing Poverty. Promoting Prosperity. Nova Scotia's Poverty Reduction Strategy."

As mentioned in my review of progress on provincial poverty reduction strategies a few weeks ago, this strategy was meant to be based on recommendations on "strategies and priorities" for action on poverty presented by the Poverty Reduction Working Group in June 2008.

Unfortunately, an initial read of the document suggests that it falls far short. The strategy lays out plans related to four goals: enable and reward work; improve supports for those in need; focus on our children; and, coordinate and collaborate. Some have suggested, however, that much of what is contained in the report is a repackaging of existing commitments.

Organizations involved in the consultations that led to the PWRG report first raised concerns about the direction the strategy would take when they were cut out of the process following the submission of the report. In the nine months leading up to today's release little information has been shared about the ultimate content of today's strategy. They are therefore skeptical of what can be expected in terms of "collaboration."

I'll be back soon with a more in-depth discussion of Nova Scotia's new poverty reduction strategy.