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 Dec. 13, 2002. 11:37 PM

 Quebec adopts anti-poverty law


 QUEBEC (CP)



? An anti-poverty law drafted by community groups was unanimously
adopted by the Quebec legislature on  Friday, but some social activists said the
legislation was short on details.

 The law aims to eliminate poverty in Quebec within 10 years, but it doesn't
contain any measures that would take effect immediately.

 It does oblige the province to table an action plan on poverty within 60 days.

 It also lays ground rules for policies to help Quebec's poor, including a
minimum social-assistance level and a stipulation that all future bills be
analysed to determine their effect on low-income groups.

 The anti-poverty law also includes a recognition by the government of its
responsibility to ensure all citizens have enough money to meet basic needs.

 It also calls for the creation of a Poverty Research Institute, and the
government would be required to present the legislature with a report every
three years on the state of poverty in the province.

 Nicole Leger, the minister responsible for the fight against poverty, defended
the law against critics who say it lacks teeth.

 "If we can reduce poverty by even 50 per cent over ten years, that's quite a
goal," Leger said at a news conference.

 But Lucie Poirier of the Montreal social-housing group FRAPRU said Friday that
promises are insufficient while people are suffering.

 "We are skeptical," she said.

 "It's in the action plan that we'll see the real will of the government to
really fight against poverty."

 Opposition Liberal critic Christos Sirros said he wanted to see a more concrete
commitment from the government, and he provided his own list of possible
anti-poverty measures.

 "Reinstating free medication for people who receive $6,000 a year, for
instance, through welfare," Sirros said at a news conference.

 "Senior citizens (could) receive an income supplement."

 Vivian Labrie of the Anti-Poverty Collective said the province is already in a
position to help Quebecers on welfare who have medical problems.

 "Sixteen million dollars can cover medication for people on welfare," said
Labrie.

 "This can be done right now, and it should be done right now."

 The law was the result of three years' work by various Quebec social groups.
They drafted the bill and gathered 216,000 signatures in support of the proposed
law. The petition, one of the largest in the province's history, was presented
to the legislature last year.

 It's believed to be the first Quebec law ever to be drafted by community
groups.