Edmonton Social Planning Council

Author: Web Administrator

  • Tracking the Trends 2013

    To get your copy of the 2013 Tracking the Trends, click here Publication Mail In Order Form or use the PayPal option below.

    Whether for planning programs and services, or developing policies, timely, accurate information is critical. Likewise, an understanding of the historical context of social issues is critical to the development of effective strategies for positive social change.

    Presenting data in a single source, such as Tracking the Trends, permits us to see the trends in the context of other social changes occurring simultaneously. For example, the Consumer Price Index and average rents have risen at a more rapid rate than Alberta Works benefits. This means an erosion of living standards for vulnerable Albertans relying on these benefits.

    Most Canadian publications present data at the national or provincial level. Tracking the Trends includes primarily Edmonton-level data. This makes it a useful tool for people working on social issues in Edmonton and the surrounding region.

    A Tool for the Public

    Edmontonians’ awareness of social issues is critical to improving the inclusiveness of our communities. A better understanding of the challenges our fellow citizens face can affect the way we think of and treat each other. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all share this city and region, and have an interest in its healthy future.

    A Tool for Decision-Makers

    For a planner or policy maker, this collection of data provides a clearer understanding of the current and historical social conditions in Edmonton. This information can provide the background necessary to make informed decisions, and even the insight needed to anticipate future changes.

    We encourage readers to use Tracking the Trends to assess how well all levels of government are fulfilling their role in ensuring citizens have the support they need to maintain a decent standard of living.

    A Tool for Social Organizations and Researchers

    The work of organizations involved in social development activities must be informed by the current and historical context. The information in Tracking the Trends will prove useful for program planning, organizational strategy-building, as well as other community development activities.

    Students and researchers will also benefit from this rich and unified source of data to inform their research projects. Such in-depth research is important for expanding our knowledge of specific issues and informing social policy development.

    ESPC Documents/PUBLICATIONS/tracking_the_trends_2013.pdf

  • Alberta Social Policy Framework

    February 2013

    During the summer of 2012, the Edmonton Social Planning Council ran a series of discussions with marginalized groups in our community to learn more about what they would like to see in the Government of Alberta’s Social Policy Framework. During each discussion, we recorded the main themes that were discussed. This information was used to create summary reports for each discussion. These reports, which are listed below, contain valuable information about the various challenges that marginalized Edmontonians face in our community. They also demonstrate the need for an effective Social Policy Framework that addresses social inequality in our province.

    In February 2013, Alberta Human Services had released the Social Policy Framework.

    Our Focus Group Discussion Summaries

  • 2013 Social Justice Internship Report

    Exploring Early Cultural and Economic Adaptation Process of the Newcomers in Michener Park, Edmonton, Alberta

    2013

    During the summer of 2013, our ESPC Social Justice Intern HM Ashraf Ali conducted a qualitative research project on social, economic and cultural barriers that are preventing newcomers in our city from realizing their full potential and living an enjoyable life in Canada. In this report, Mr. Ali discusses the findings of his research project, providing readers with detailed information about the challenges that these individuals face after arriving in Canada.

    Abstract: Using ethnographic data, this study reports on the early sociocultural and economic experiences of the Bangladesh immigrant and non-immigrant families living in the Michener Park area in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Research findings show that newcomers experienced a wide range of social and economic constraints during their initial stage of sociocultural and economic adaptation to life in Edmonton. Lack of English language proficiency, Canadian job experience, or lack of Canadian education and training facilities, and nature of residency status in Canada led these newcomers to experience economic hardship in the earliest months of their new life in Canada. The aim of this research, therefore, was to examine: (a) why do these people come to Canada and what social and economic experiences have they had while living in Edmonton? (b) What barriers do they encounter that prevent them from obtaining their preferred job, how does this affect their household income and how do they manage to survive? This paper summarizes the responses of the newcomers who agreed to participate in this research project. The paper concludes with policy recommendations made by participants that could help newcomers overcome existing job barriers for the immigrant and non-immigrant families living in Edmonton. 

  • Redford Government challenged to ‘Achieve the Promise’: Report reveals 91,000 children live in poor families

    Media Release
    November 20, 2012

    A new report on child and family poverty outlines the challenge Alberta faces if we are going to eliminate child poverty in five years and reduce poverty for everyone in ten years, as promised by Premier Redford during the recent provincial election.

    The report, entitled “Achieving the Promise: Ending Poverty in Alberta”, was published on National Child Day, November 20th by the Edmonton Social Planning Council, the Alberta College of Social Workers and Public Interest Alberta. This report is one of many reports being released across the country by the national coalition, Campaign 2000. Some of the main findings of the report include:

    • 91,000 children under the age of 18 were living below the low-income measure (LIM after tax), 11.3% of all Alberta children.

    • The poverty rate was higher for children under the age of six with one in six children, (17.2% = 48,200 children) below the LIM.

    • The majority (52%) of children living in poverty had at least one parent working full time, full year.

    • There is growing inequality in Alberta with the wealthiest 10% of families seeing their incomes double in 20 years while the bottom 10% have seen only marginal increases.

    • The good news is that as that there was a 12% decrease in the number of children from the previous year and that the number of children lifted out of poverty by all government transfers has increased to 47.2%.

    John Kolkman, Research Coordinator for the Edmonton Social Planning Council and lead author of the report says, �The latest data shows that while government transfers and a strengthening economy is helping to lift some children out of poverty, it is clear much more needs to be done to address the barriers that result in 91,000 Alberta children living in low income.�

    “The Premier’s promise to eliminate child poverty in five years is a bold commitment that will only be achieved if it is matched with an equally bold and comprehensive approach to address the root causes of poverty,” says Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “Unfortunately, the provincial government seems to not want to invest any new funding to achieve this goal, so it will be up to citizens and civil society organizations to keep pressing for a real commitment to eliminate poverty in Alberta.”

    “Social workers see the suffering of children and families living in poverty every day.  Alberta is a rich province with vast resources.  We can end poverty in Alberta.  Let’s invest in our richest resource of all, our citizens,” says Lori Sigurdson, Manager, Professional Affairs, Alberta College of Social Workers.

    The report was launched at simultaneous forums in Edmonton and Calgary that were video linked together and live streamed over the internet. A number of people from various sectors of society presented their views on what solutions need to be included in the Social Policy Framework that Minister Hancock has just completed public consultations into. These forums were sponsored by the Alberta College of Social Workers, the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, Public Interest Alberta, The United Way of the Alberta Capital Region and were also supported by many other civil society groups.

    “This forum provides the opportunity for a broad discussion of the impacts of poverty and real solutions for ending poverty”, said Jackie Sieppert, Dean of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary.  “I hope the conversation started here creates momentum for educating people about the issue of poverty and concrete social policy changes to support poverty reduction.   Both are essential to the people of Alberta.”

    The Child Well-Being Initiative of the Women of the United Church of Canada are holding a rally at the provincial legislature at 12:30 where they will have tens of thousands of paper dolls on display representing the number of children living in poverty. A Calgary member of the group, Carolyn Pogue said, “When we see that more than half the homeless who come to our church for a bed our children, we think this is an emergency. Charity is not enough. This is our third time back to the provincial legislature and we want action now.”

    -30-

    Media Contacts:
    Bill Moore-Kilgannon (780) 993-3736
    Jackie Sieppert (403) 220-5945

    To view the entire document CLICK Here.

  • Alberta’s Social Policy Framework – Submission – Edmonton Social Planning Council SPF Phase Two Proposed Strategies, Roles and Responsibilities

    Alberta’s Social Policy Framework (Phase 2 proposed Strategies, Roles and Responsibilities)
    Submission from the Edmonton Social Planning Council
    November 16, 2012

    C. LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT/C02 ALBERTA/SOCIAL POLICY FRAMEWORK/ESPC phase 2 Submission Social Policy Framework 2.pdf

  • Government of Alberta Social Policy Framework Public Consultation Focus Group Summary Notes: Canadian Mental Health Association

    Government of Alberta Social Policy Framework Public Consultation Focus Group Summary Notes: Canadian Mental Health Association Facilitated by the Edmonton Social Planning Council With support from the United Way of Alberta Capital Region, the City of Edmonton, and FCSS August 31st , 2012

    C. LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT/C02 ALBERTA/SOCIAL POLICY FRAMEWORK/Canadian-Mental-Health-Association-SPF-Summary.pdf