Category: ESPC Publications: Fact Sheets

Literacy has been broadly defined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as “understanding, evaluating, using and engaging with written texts to participate in society, to achieve one’s goals, and to develop one’s knowledge and potential”. In addition, literacy also involves numeracy, defined by the OECD as “the ability to engage with mathematical information in order to manage the mathematical demands of a range of situations in everyday life.” Low levels of literacy reduce a person’s ability to carry out basic daily activities. For example, this may mean the inability to work, use public transportation or understand important documents necessary to receive medical or social services. Providing all Canadians with meaningful opportunities to develop and sustain quality literary skills will result in stronger communities bolstered by active participation in economic, employment, health, and social systems.

ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/FACT_Sheet_Literacy_2015.pdf

The first farmers’ market in Alberta was established in Edmonton in 1903. A number of markets in other locations began to emerge throughout during the next four decades. Following WWII, when many people moved away from rural areas towards urban centres, food increasingly was purchased from supermarkets and less directly from farmers and producers. Farmers’ markets began to re-appear in the 1970s but there was a lack of consistency with how each was set up and operated. In Alberta, there are now two different types of markets—Alberta approved farmers’ markets and public markets. Both types of markets involve a gathering of vendors who sell their products directly to consumers. The difference lies in the ownership/management of the market and the privileges accorded to each type of market.

ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/fACT_Sheet_Farmers_Markets_2014.pdf

What is Food Security?

The United Nations defines food security as existing “when all people at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” Alberta Food Matters defines food security as “the condition in which all people at all times can acquire safe, nutritionally adequate, and personally acceptable foods in a manner that maintains human dignity.”

“… despite Canada’s economic recovery, the number of Canadians facing food insecurity – inadequate or insecure access to food because of financial constraints – is not abating. In fact, the problem has persisted or grown in every province and territory since 2005, with 2012 rates in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories reaching their highest observed since Health Canada began monitoring the problem.” – Naomi Dachner, co-author of Household Food Insecurity in Canada.

Food Bank Use in Edmonton

Edmonton’s Food Bank works with more than 200 community agencies and serves more than 13,000 people each month through its hamper program. In addition, more than 350,000 meals and snacks are provided each month through affiliated agencies.

ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/fACT_Sheet_Food Security_June_2014.pdf

Stats

Edmonton (source: www.homewardtrust.ca)

• The most recent Homeless Count in Edmonton in 2012 revealed 2,174 homeless people, 223 of whom were dependent children and 119 were caregivers. In addition, 56 youth under 16 without caregivers were also counted.

Canada (source: raisingtheroof.org)

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We have released our annual analysis of the Government of Alberta’s 2014 Budget.

Budget 2014 covers the time period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 (2014-15) fiscal year (FY). Budget 2014 estimates an operational surplus of $2.6 billion, and a consolidated surplus of $1.1 billion when capital spending and net savings are included. The government’s revenue picture has brightened considerably since last year’s budget due to higher than expected energy prices and a lower Canadian dollar. As a result, operational spending will increase next year though by less than inflation and population growth. In this fACT sheet, next year refers to the 2014-15 FY and this year refers to the current 2013-14 FY.

ESPC Documents/Fact Sheets/fACT sheet Alberta Budget March 2014.pdf

This Fact Sheet highlights spending measures outlined in the 2014 federal budget that affect Edmontonians with low and modest incomes. While the budget focuses on the fiscal year that runs from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, it also contains spending and revenue projections for the following four years. By keeping program spending flat and allowing revenues to grow in line with the economy, the federal government forecasts a deficit of $2.9 billion in 2014-15 and plans a return to a surplus budget by 2015-16. 

2014 Federal Budget Fact Sheet