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Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says governments must use more innovative tools — particularly guaranteed annual income — to address systemic poverty, as municipal leaders across Canada gather in Edmonton for a three-day summit on the issue.

While minimum income has gained traction and attention in recent months among policy-makers, the NDP government appears lukewarm to the idea and more intent on pursuing other means to prevent and reduce poverty.

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“(It) is an intriguing idea, but not something our government is looking into at this time,” Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir said in an email.

The conference, called Cities Reducing Poverty: When Mayors Lead, features panel discussions with municipal, provincial and federal politicians, child advocates and community leaders on best practices, co-ordinating efforts and sharing plans.

“If you talk to non-profit organizations and agencies about their poverty record, you’ll hear great, great stories of huge impacts people have made with individuals and families,” said Nenshi, who is scheduled to speak at the conference Wednesday.