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About Us

Who we are

The Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) is a local, charitable and non-partisan organization that was founded in 1940. ESPC conducts research and analyzes data, produces reports, provides recommendations, provides public education, conducts focus groups, does presentations, and works collaboratively with other social agencies. 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.

Our Vision

A community in which all people are full and valued participants.

Our Mission

Through rigorous research, detailed analysis, and community engagement, we deepen community understanding of social planning issues, influence policy, and spark collaborative actions that lead to positive social change.

Guiding Principles: 

  • Social Equality and Inclusion – we are dedicated to helping our community become more inclusive and equitable. 
  • Independent Voice – We are an independent and non-partisan organization that does not speak for or represent other organizations, governments, and political parties. 
  • Actionable Research – We do relevant and timely research that helps others identify and implement solutions to social planning issues. 
  • Strategic Collaboration – We collaborate with diverse partners to achieve shared goals without duplicating the work of others. 
  • Social Awareness – We value accessible information that helps a wide range of audiences understand community challenges and opportunities. 
  • Community Capacity – We build knowledge and skills in our community by openly sharing our learning, experience, and expertise with others. 

Outcomes We Seek to Achieve 

  • Informed Community – A community that is knowledgeable about social planning issues, challenges, and potential actions to improve the lives of all. 
  • Engaged Community – A community that works together to determine priorities and to organize efforts to achieve common goals. 
  • Changed Community – A community that advocated for and benefits from positive social change. 

The Edmonton Social Planning Council is a dedicated team of professionals with a unique set of skills and experience to provide the complicated task of making sense of complex social issues. 

ESPC Land Acknowledgement  

The Edmonton Social Planning Council respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 Land, a traditional gathering place for many Indigenous Peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose diverse histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our community.  

The First People’s connection to the land teaches us about our inherent responsibility to protect and respect Mother Earth. With this acknowledgment, we honour the ancestors and children who have been buried here, missing and murdered Indigenous women and men, and the process of ongoing collective healing for all human beings. We are reminded that we are all treaty people and of the responsibility we have to one another. 

The Edmonton Social Planning Council recognizes that we are settlers on this land and have a responsibility to contribute to reconciliation as an organization through learning, continuing conversations, and amplifying Indigenous voices. Indigenous Peoples experiences of poverty, homelessness and food insecurity are directly tied to colonization and we understand the work we do connected to these should reflect their experiences.  

As part of our commitment to truth and reconciliation, the ESPC is dedicated to taking meaningful action to address social inequities experienced by Indigenous Peoples in our community. 

 

ESPC Logo

To that end, we pledge to: 

  • Embed Indigenous Perspectives in Research and Policy: Ensure that our research, advocacy, and policy recommendations integrate Indigenous knowledge and address the systemic barriers Indigenous communities face, particularly in areas of poverty, housing, and social services. 
  • Foster Relationships with Indigenous Organizations: Build and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous-led organizations and communities, listening to and supporting their leadership on social issues that directly affect them. 
  • Promote Indigenous Voices in Social Policy Discussions: Actively seek out and elevate Indigenous perspectives in our public forums, roundtable discussions, and community consultations, ensuring that Indigenous Peoples have a meaningful voice in shaping social policy. 
  • Support Indigenous Cultural Competency Training: Ensure that our staff, board members, and volunteers undergo regular training on Indigenous history, cultural competency, and the ongoing impacts of colonization, to foster an informed and respectful organization. 
  • Advocate for Equity in Social Services: Use our platform to advocate for equitable access to social services and resources for Indigenous Peoples, recognizing the disparities in healthcare, education, and housing that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities in Edmonton. 

By committing to these actions, we aim to contribute to healing, reconciliation, and the creation of a just and inclusive society where Indigenous rights and sovereignty are respected. 

 Nehiyaw (NAY-HEE-YOW)
Dene (DEH-NEYH)
Anishinaabe (AH-NISH-IN-AH-BAY)
Saulteaux (SO-TOE)
Nakota Isga (NA-KOH-TAH  EE-SKA)
Nakota Sioux (NA-KOH-TAH SUE)
Niitsitapi (NIT-SI-TAHP-EE)
Métis (MAY-TEA) 

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