This background piece was written while the anti-poverty law (Bill 112) was before the National Assembly in Quebec in 2002. It discusses the development of anti-poverty law in Quebec and encourages debate on fighting poverty as well as pointing out the importance of community solidarity and empowerment. It highlights the activities of successive Quebec governments from 1994 to 2002 in the war on poverty and particularly focuses on Bill 112, its development, goals and the environment surrounding its creation.