CM: Our Aging Indigenous Population: A Conversation with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society

Written by Susanne Urbina, Capacity Support Assistant (ESPC) Note: This is an excerpt from our March 2025 Community Matters newsletter. You can read the full publication here. One in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over by 2030 (Statistics Canada,...
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Blog: Recognizing the Past, Preventing the Future: April 1st is Genocide Remembrance Day

By Susanne Urbina April 1st is known for many as April Fool’s Day but in Canada, it’s also the day that marks Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month when we reflect upon the victims of genocide, honor survivors and give thought to how to prevent...
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Community Matters (March 2025) — Seniors, Aging, and Older Adults

Welcome to the Spring Edition of Community Matters. The goal of Community Matters is to keep our community informed about the issues that impact those who live here. This publication provides readers with the knowledge to connect the dots between social issues,...
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Blog: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: A Reflection on History and Our Present

By Kalkidan Tafesse, ESPC VolunteerKalkidan Tafesse is originally from Ethiopia but grew up around the world and now calls Edmonton home. Kalkidan studied sociology with a minor in psychology and works in a non-profit. Most of her writing came from obligatory school...
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Blog: Lights Out! Earth Hour and Why it Matters

By Sophia Jewell, ESPC VolunteerSophia Jewell is a research assistant at the University of Alberta and an independent scholar preparing for a PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Her research explores identity, place, and cultural geography in Slavic communities,...
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Blog: World Water Day: A Call for Sustainable Water Management

Written by Tahmina Rahman, ESPC VolunteerTahmina Rahman is a policy analyst and healthcare professional with 3+ years in government roles. She specializes in policy development, program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis. Holding an MBBS degree,...
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Welcome

The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) is a local, charitable and non-partisan organization that was founded in 1940. ESPC conducts social research on low income and poverty issues in our community. ESPC also provides knowledge and expertise on these issues, raises public awareness and understanding, advocates for social policies and programs, and fosters public participation.

ESPC focus centers on topics related to low income and poverty. Our work includes undertaking research into the nature and magnitude of social issues in our community; public awareness and understanding of current social issues; being an independent voice in the community; encouraging public participation in the development of social policies and the implementation of programs.

The strength of our voice and our role in the community is based on the support of people and organizations concerned about social issues. ESPC conducts research and analyzes data, produces reports, provides recommendations, is a depository of information, provides public education, conducts focus groups, does presentations, and works collaboratively with other social agencies.

We are dedicated to encouraging the adoption of equitable social policy, supporting the work of other organizations that are striving to improve the lives of Edmontonians, and educating the public regarding the social issues that impact them daily.

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ESPC in the News

Radio Active

Child poverty rates dipped in the pandemic lockdowns. What are they like now?

On February 27, 2024, Sydney Sheloff, our Strategic Research Coordinator, told Radio Active that the dip in child poverty rates didn’t last.

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St. Albert Gazette

Canada middle of the pack for child poverty among rich nations

Sydney Sheloff, our Strategic Research Coordinator, discusses the child poverty situation in the province of Alberta in recent years.

 
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Edmonton Journal

One in five Albertans don’t have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food

Susan Morrissey, our Executive Director, delves into the number of Alberta households experiencing food insecurity.

 

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Radio Cite 97,9 Interview

LE SALAIRE MINIMUM D’EDMONTON EN 2023 AUGMENTÉ DE PRÈS D’UN DOLLAR

Janell Uden, coordonnatrice des services de recherche et du renforcement des capacités au Conseil de planification sociale, a rencontre Élie Nkulu, notre journaliste pour en discuter.

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Edmonton Journal

OPINION – Proposed public spaces bylaws are an attack on Edmonton’s marginalized

Susan Morrissey, our Executive Director, expresses concerns with proposed bylaw changes that aim to regulate the use of public spaces.

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630 CHED Afternoons With Bryn Griffiths And Reid Wilkins

Vital Signs Report: Food Security

Nneka Otogbolu, Director, Strategic Initiatives & Equity Advancement with the Edmonton Community Foundation and Susan Morrissey, Executive Director of the Edmonton Social Planning Council discuss the Vital Signs Report on food security in Edmonton.

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Latest News

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Check out our Social Well-Being Tracker

We are currently tracking 75 social well-being indicators for Edmonton and the region.

A. Demographics | BA: Income and Income Gaps | BB. Poverty | BC. Cost of Living | BD. Government Transfers | C. Employment and Labour | D. Education and Literacy | E. Built Environment | F. Social Inclusion | G. Health and Health Services

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Community Engagement

We’re pleased to open up our Lunch and Learn series to other nonprofits to introduce agencies and their incredible programs and services to other community members.

For those interested in participating, we would love to host you at a future event. Please direct any inquiries to our Executive Assistant. Subscribe to our email newsletter to stay informed about future Lunch and Learns and ESPC news and announcements.

Watch Lunch & Learn Series videos on our YouTube channel.

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