Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: **Resources: Social Issues:

  • CM: Neoliberalism in Alberta’s Education System

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    Policy Literacy  

    Policy is complicated. However, it is essential that the average Albertan understand it. Policy shapes almost every element of our lives; education, health care, equal rights, and affordable housing are all shaped by policies our governments create. By better understanding policy, in other words, developing one’s policy literacy, the average citizen can be better prepared to advocate for policies that impact their lives. This may mean supporting polices that will have a positive impact or challenging policies that may have negative impacts. 

    Understanding policy requires understanding the forces that underlie policy. The policies that get created are not neutral, they are shaped by systems of power. Policies are created by whatever political party is in power and can be influenced by other institutions that governments want to keep in favour. Political parties want to stay in power, so they often make policy decisions that will maintain citizen support, and that do not create division or conflict within their parties. Policies are also shaped by powerful ideologies: protecting the things a society values, or addressing problems that are seen to be worth solving (Krings, Fusaro, Nicoll, & Lee, 2019). In the context of Alberta, policies are currently being created by the United Conservative Party (UCP) and shaped by neoliberal ideology. These ideas will be illustrated in this article though the example of education policy and it’s impacts on children. 

    Neoliberalism in the education system 

    Neoliberalism is a social, political, and economic regulatory system that calls for limited government involvement in the market and social life in order to promote individual responsibility and freedom. Neoliberal policies involve the privatization of public resources and services, the reduction of government regulations, and the shrinking of government involvement in welfare projects in order to push people to become independent (Harvey, 2005; Turner, 2014). However, neoliberalism often creates the opposite of what it claims to do – by privatizing public goods and services and divesting from welfare projects, people living in marginalized social positions are not afforded adequate resources to make a good life for themselves, and the systems end up entrenching their poverty. 

    Neoliberal ideas spread into all aspects of modern life – our entire lives are thought to be our own personal responsibility – when we do well it’s because we acted responsibly, and when we struggle it is our fault for making the wrong choices. This system erases the larger social forces and problems that shape our lives (McNutt, 2020) such as systemic racism, ableism, and classism. 

    By this framework, the goal of education is to teach conformity to the status quo, that is, teach students to conform with neoliberalism. Lessons are focused on preparing students to be good workers who follow the rules (Sims, 2017). Student achievement is increasingly based on standardized tests in which students have to memorize facts rather than demonstrate that they actually understand the material. Multiple choice tests that stress that there is only one “right” answer discourages critical thinking. When student success is based heavily on these tests, teachers may end up “teaching to the test” which discourages students from pursuing their personal interests (Sims, 2017). As a result, students only learn one understanding of the world – an understanding that reinforces the status quo – and do not get opportunities to critically reflect on material and think differently. 

    The Alberta Context 

    These ideas are highly evident in the UCP’s provincial curriculum redevelopment and implementation which directs the policies that govern education. Analyses of the curriculum while still in draft form have demonstrated that the curriculum focuses on teaching students’ “core knowledge” without the time to contextualize that knowledge. Several critics have noted that the curriculum has such a large amount of material that teachers will have to teach in shallow and decontextualized ways to get through it all. This way of teaching focuses on memorization and does not allow students to understand topics on a deeper level (Patrie, Howe, and Lorenz, 2021; Auckerman, Burwell, Seidel, & Scott, 2021). 

    Researchers out of Calgary have argued that many lessons in the curriculum are not developmentally appropriate, and the structure of the curriculum discourages critical thinking. For example, inferring (learning to come to a conclusion from evidence and reasoning) from text in Language Arts is not introduced until grade three, when research has proven these skills can be developed in grade one, delaying student’s development of critical thinking skills. Also in the English curriculum, the curriculum largely uses the word “identify” but rarely uses terms such as analyze or critique, showing that children are not encouraged to think critically about the texts they engage with (Auckerman, Burwell, Seidel, & Scott, 2021). The Social Studies curriculum has been criticized as well for being too focused on European history and paying little attention and respect to Indigenous Peoples (Chau-Wong & Oyasiji, 2022). Despite these criticisms, which were made by a large number of childhood and education specialists, no changes were made to the curriculum.  

    Neoliberalism in education also looks like the proliferation of ‘choices’ to public education – such as charter schools and voucher systems (Santone, 2019). Charter schools are autonomous, non-profit public schools that have a special area of focus, but they do not have to follow the same regulations as public schools. Alberta is the only province in Canada that provides public funds to charter schools, and the current UCP government has suggested it wants to create more. While they claim charter schools offer families choice in where they go to school, this choice is often only available to families who can afford them. Despite not being accessible to all students, Charter schools get public funding, which divests money and resources from free public education. This system, according to the Alberta Teachers Association, privileges a select few students at the expense of all others (McAthey, 2022). Students in privileged social positions will get a ‘choice’ of schools, but the rest will be stuck in a system that is slowly being eroded. 

    Impacts on students 

    Proponents of the neoliberal education system often claim it is about meritocracy – if students do well it is because they worked hard and made the right choices (Santone, 2019). However, as demonstrated above, neoliberal education policies really only reward a particular kind of learner, and all other students are pushed away. 

    At the same time the government is implementing a problematic public school curriculum, they are putting policies in place that privilege charter schools that only serve a select few. These processes work together so that students in public schools will have their quality of education eroded – they are subject to a curriculum that does not serve their needs and will have less resources and supports to do well in school. While families in more privileged social positions can “choose” to go to the charter schools to mitigate some of these challenges, many Edmonton students will not have that chance.  

    Students’ experiences in elementary school education influence their beliefs about education for years to come. Memorizing facts without context is hard, and many students will struggle with this form of learning. This does not just impact school success; it impacts long-term happiness. When school success is constructed as the responsibility of the student, students who do not do well will blame themselves, and may feel incapable or inadequate. This has lasting impacts on their self-esteem and belief in themselves to take on new challenges and learning opportunities as they age. In more extreme circumstances, it may push children out of school prematurely, which has long lasting implications for their employment, health, housing and many other elements of their lives. 

    Schools should provide children an opportunity for self-discovery, to foster creativity, to be curious and learn new things, and to develop their interests. However, when school becomes all about preparing children for the working world, it may limit their opportunity to explore and pursue interests that do not achieve these goals. Topics that address systemic racism and oppression, acknowledge reconciliation and Indigenous Ways of Knowing, history, social justice, literature, and the arts are disregarded. What would education policy look like if decision makers valued these core tenants of education? What could children achieve under this other system?  

    By understanding the policies being created, the powers behind them, and the impacts that they have on our lives, we can advocate for policies that serve us better. It is important that curriculums are developed by experts in childhood development and education, and that curriculums have built in opportunities for children to develop critical thinking skills, foster creativity, and pursue the topics that interest them. The public education system needs robust funding in order to ensure students have the resources to succeed. Children are more than future workers; schools should give students the tools they need to thrive in whatever future they envision for themselves.  

    What can we do? 

    It is important that we vote for parties whose ideologies reflect the society we want to live in, and that we hold governments accountable to make policy decisions that serve our needs. Policies that governments are considering are often in the news. Take the time to read up on these policies, listen to opinions of people with different backgrounds, talk with your friends, and think critically about how it may affect you and your community members. Governments are supposed to represent all of us, contact your local MLA and let them know your opinion. While policies are shaped by systems of power, everyday citizens have the power to tell our governments what we want from them. 

    Note: This is an excerpt from our March 2023 Community Matters, you can read the full publication here

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    Sources 

    Auckerman, M., Burwell, C., Seidel, J., & Scott, D. (2021). By forgetting about thinking, Alberta’s curriculum draft misses the mark. CBC News Calgary. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/road-ahead-alberta-education-curriculum-criticism-1.5978023  

    Chau-Wong, C., & Oyasiji, A. (2022). Racism in Education. Coalition for Equal Access to Education. 

    Harvey, D. (2005). A brief history of neoliberalism. New York: Oxford University Press. 

    Krings, A., Fusaro, V., Nicoll, K. L., & Lee, N. Y. (2019). Social Work, Politics, and Social Policy Education: Applying a Multidimensional Framework of Power. Journal of Social Work Education, 55(2), 224-237. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2018.1544519  

    McAthey, K. (2022). ‘The commodification of education is never good’: Concerns raised over charter schools in Alberta. CTV News Edmonton. https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/the-commodification-of-education-is-never-good-concerns-raised-over-charter-schools-in-alberta-1.5793526  

    McNutt, C. (2020). Unpacking “neoliberal” schooling. Medium. https://medium.com/human-restoration-project/unpacking-neoliberal-schooling-aa3a2add66e8  

    Patrie, N., Howe, W., & Lorenz,D. (2021). Opinion: Alberta’s draft curriculum doesn’t set up students for success. Edmonton Journal. https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-albertas-draft-curriculum-doesnt-set-up-students-for-success  

    Santone, S. (2019). Neoliberlism in education: What you need to know. Susan Santone. https://www.susansantone.com/master-blog/2019/5/21/neoliberalism-in-education-what-you-need-to-know  

    Sims, Margret. (2017) Neoliberalism and early childhood, Cogent Education, 4:1, 1365411, DOI: 10.1080/2331186X.2017.1365411  

    Tuner, J. (2014). Being young in the age of globalization: A look at recent literature on neoliberalism’s effects of youth. Social Justice 41(4), 8-22. Retrieved from: https://jstor.org/stable/24871272. 

     

     

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    1. Blog: World Health Day

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      To underline the need for health equity, this article, on the 75th anniversary of World Health Day, describes the current situation of healthcare for Canadians in the Canadian system based on recent research and studies. 

      By Ankur Subedi, RSW, ESPC Volunteer

       

      World Health Day is observed annually and draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. This April 7 commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 (WHO, n.d.). The WHO theme of 2023 is “Health Equity, Health for All” to emphasize the need for addressing health disparities and ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of socioeconomic background, geography, or other variables (Sharma, 2023).  

      In conjunction with the WHO theme for 2023, the Canadian Health Act ensures that every Canadian, regardless of their ability to pay, receives timely access to medically essential health services and that no Canadian experiences undue financial hardship as a result of having to pay medical expenses (Senate of Canada, 2003). The national principles of the Canadian Health Act include universality, comprehensiveness, accessibility, portability, and public administration (Senate of Canada, 2023). Instant and timely access to healthcare services is critical for Canadians’ health (Clarke, 2016). Difficulties in obtaining services may result in delays in seeking and receiving treatment, underuse, or lack of awareness of preventive health care. As well there is an increased risk of complications if a diagnosis is delayed, an increased financial burden on the health care system (e.g., if patients arrive sicker and/or require longer hospital stays), and/or decreased compliance with treatment (Clarke, 2016).  

      A major purpose of Canada’s national health insurance policy is to guarantee that all Canadians have free access to medically necessary treatments. Yet, circumstances, such as wait times, can limit access to health care services, causing people to struggle to obtain the care they require (Clarke, 2016). Age, gender, amount of education, immigrant status, location of residence, and perceived health all have a substantial impact on access to specialist treatments (Clarke, 2016). People under the age of 65, females, immigrants, and those who reported poor or fair perceived health had increased probabilities of experiencing difficulties accessing health care compared to the reference group (Clarke, 2016). Those residing in Quebec, or the western provinces (the Prairies and British Columbia) were similarly more likely to report problems receiving specialist services than those living in Ontario (Clarke, 2016). Several interconnected variables, including personal characteristics (e.g., job schedule, family commitments) and system issues, might impact one’s capacity to obtain healthcare services (Clarke, 2016). When healthcare services are used more frequently, there is a larger chance of experiencing problems (Clarke, 2016).  

      In recent months, Canada’s healthcare system has been under severe scrutiny as the public looks beyond COVID-19 to find long delays or outright closures at emergency departments, shortages of healthcare staff, a scarcity of family doctors, and high surgical backlogs (Korzinski, 2022). The healthcare system has been called “collapsing” or “collapsed” (Korzinski, 2022).  Although various headlines define the situation as a “crisis,” the president of the Canadian Medical Association considers the present strain on the system “unsustainable” (Korzinski, 2022). Individuals who had needed health care in the previous months were questioned about how simple or difficult they found seeking care (Korzinski, 2022). Specialist visits and surgical procedures were found to be the most stressful for healthcare searchers, with more than half reporting difficulty or inability to receive this sort of treatment (Korzinski, 2022). Individuals who needed non-emergency care and diagnostic testing were less likely to face obstacles (Korzinski, 2022). At least two-in-five people who required testing (41%) or non-emergency care (44%), indicated that accessing them was difficult or impossible (Korzinski, 2022). When the reports of inadequate healthcare access circulated, Canadians’ faith in the system appeared to be low (Korzinski, 2022). Three in five people (61%) were doubtful if they or their family would have timely access to health care in an emergency, with one-quarter (24%) having no confidence at all (Korzinski, 2022).  

      Health Equity is important to achieve for Canadians and everyone all around the world, yet it has not been possible. As World Health Day has approached, the key message of the World Health Organization, that “Health For All” envisions a society in which all people have good health and may live happy lives in a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable environments. The right to health is a basic human right that everyone should have free access to whenever and wherever they need it (Pace Hospitals, n.d.).

       

      Ankur Subedi is a Registered Social Worker (RSW), currently advancing her education in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at the University of Calgary. Having completed the Social Work Diploma from Norquest College, Ankur comes with a diverse background in community involvement. Ankur is passionate about working in social services and working with vulnerable populations to help them achieve their best possible levels of mental, social, and physical well-being. 

       

      References 

      Clarke, J. (2016, December 8). Health at a glance; difficulty accessing health care services in Canada health. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-624-x/2016001/article/14683-eng.htm 

      Korzinski, D. (2022, September 29). Access to health care: Free, but for all? Nearly nine million canadians report chronic difficulty getting help. Augus Reid Institute. Retrieved from https://angusreid.org/canada-health-care-issues/ 

      Pace Hospitals. (n.d.). World Health Day 7 April 2023: Theme, history & importance. Retrieved from https://www.pacehospital.com/world-health-day 

      Senate of Canada. (2003, November 12). Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, science and technology (37th Parliament, 2nd session). Retrieved from https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/committee/372/soci/rep/repoct02vol6part7-e 

      Sharma, P. (2023, March 21). World Health Day 2023: Theme, history, speech, Hashtags. New 

      Hope. Retrieved from https://www.newhopephysio.com/blog/world-health-day-2023 

      World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). World Health Day. Retrieved from  

        https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day 

       

       

                                                                              [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

                                                                            1. Blog: Analog to Digital: The shift to Arc for Edmonton Transit

                                                                              [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

                                                                              The new Arc electronic fare program is Edmonton’s foray into smart transit. Will this new tech make transit more accessible for all Edmontonians? 

                                                                              By Bronwyn Neufeld, ESPC Volunteer

                                                                               

                                                                              Arc is Edmonton’s new electronic fare program for its transit network. Shifting the system from exclusively analog to the digital age with Edmonton transit having operated with paper tickets/passes and exact change only dating back to the first trolley car in 1909. (1) The Arc system is comparable to other tap-on, tap-off electronic fare programs in major Canadian cities such as Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary. In many cities including Edmonton, transit is thought to be the more affordable option than driving. It’s important to question how the new system will affect those who use transit the most. What kinds of benefits and challenges might we see? 

                                                                               

                                                                              But first, how does this new system work? 

                                                                              The Arc card system was launched officially for all Edmontonians on November 21st, 2022, (2) and was used as early as 2021, integrated with the university student transit passes (U-Pass). It now extends to municipalities including Beaumont, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, and Strathcona County. (3) To use the Arc system, you must purchase either an Arc card or a single-use Arc ticket from one of 75 locations in Edmonton. (4) The single-use tickets act like single-use transit passes and cannot be reloaded with money; they are for one-time use only. The cards, on the other hand, act as reloadable transit passes, which can be done at any of the locations in which you purchased the card. After an Arc card is purchased, it can be linked to an online account, where the balance and personal user information is stored. The card will still work in the same way without an online account.  

                                                                               

                                                                              Benefits 

                                                                              Arc cards follow the concept of fare capping. This means that the card will cap out once it reaches the amount of a month or day pass, at which point you ride for free for the remainder of the month or day. Even those who choose to stay anonymous and not register their card to an account, still benefit from the fare-capping policy. This feature benefits those that may have been making many trips by transit in a single day or month and using single use tickets, benefiting those who have purchased monthly bus passes previously. If you bought a monthly pass and did not take enough trips to make it worth the total cost, you would simply lose that money. With the Arc system that money is stored on your card, which continues to be used the next month. This would help people with jobs that are unpredictable in scheduling, which is common with many minimum wage jobs.   

                                                                              The bonus of having the electronic system is the option to get a replacement. With the money you load on your Arc card stored online, you can block the card and get a replacement, without losing money. Similar to what you would do with a debit card if it were lost or stolen. While still, a time-consuming annoyance, having the option to replace the card without paying again alleviates some of the financial burdens of losing a bus pass. This option is only available to the users that have registered their card online.  

                                                                              The current Edmonton transit system still accepts paper tickets, passes, and transfers. As the new Arc system is being rolled out, having the option to switch to the new system or continue using the old system benefits everyone by giving them choice and freedom.   

                                                                               

                                                                              Challenges 

                                                                              One of the challenges with the Arc card system is it does not currently have discounted rates for people on AISH, Seniors, and other groups that had access to discounts with the original bus passes and fares. (4) The website indicates that these rates are coming in 2023. Having these rates implemented is crucial for inclusivity in the new system.  

                                                                              The distribution of the Arc cards themselves is lacking at the moment. With only 75 locations throughout Edmonton, the access to a card is more limited than to the old system which has over 300 locations. If you do not live on the LRT line or close to a business centre like many Edmontonians, you will likely not have direct physical access to buy or check your card balance.  

                                                                              These gaps in distribution of the Arc cards affects those who may have limitations to online access. For example, youth or seniors without direct access to computers, or the unhoused and precariously housed populations of Edmonton. The system is currently set up so that it excludes people with online barriers to some of the key benefits of the Arc system, like card replacement and online access to card balances. As the system becomes more integrated, more locations should be made available to provide Arc cards and access to card balances and replacements throughout the city. 

                                                                              The Arc card system presents an exciting step towards the modernization and improvement of Edmonton transit. It is possible for the Arc card system to maintain all the benefits while tweaking the system to ensure all users are included. For more information on the Arc card system visit Home | Arc by CRP (myarc.ca).  

                                                                               

                                                                              Bronwyn was born and raised in Amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton. Bronwyn is an avid transit user and bike lane enthusiast. She loves exploring cities and experiencing all they have to offer. She just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta and is currently working as a Project Engineer-in-Training with Stantec.   

                                                                               

                                                                              References 

                                                                              1. City of Edmonton. (n.d) Arc Card. City of Edmonton. https://www.edmonton.ca/ets/ets-history-statistics
                                                                              2. Mertz. E (2022, Nov 15) Electronic fare system for Edmonton and regional transit launches Nov. 21.  https://globalnews.ca/news/9279607/edmonton-transit-arc-electronic-fare-arc/
                                                                              3. City of Edmonton. (n.d) Arc Card. City of Edmonton. https://www.edmonton.ca/ets/arc
                                                                              4. ARC. (n.d). Frequently Asked Questions https://www.myarc.ca/customer-service/questions-answers
                                                                              5. Edmonton Journal Editorial Board. (2022 Nov. 21). Editorial: Edmonton’s transit smart car better late than never. https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-edmontons-transit-smart-card-better-late-than-never
                                                                              6. Paquette A. (2021, April 12) Transit Statistics 2019 and 2020. https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=88604
                                                                              7. City of Edmonton. (n.d.) Map View: ETS Sales Outlet Locations. https://data.edmonton.ca/dataset/Map-View-ETS-Sales-Outlet-Locations/kzs7-f2em?referrer=embed

                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                      [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

                                                                                                                                                    1. Blog: Play and Physical Literacy in Children

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                                                                                                                                                      By Rebecca Jansen, ESPC Volunteer

                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                      Physical literacy is a fundamental aspect of overall health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked in terms of a skill that requires development, particularly in childhood. Physical literacy is defined as “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life” (IPLA, 2017). It is not just about physical activity itself but about understanding the importance of physical activity and having the skills to participate in it.  

                                                                                                                                                      Research has shown that physical literacy is essential for children’s healthy development. Studies have found that children who develop physical literacy early in life are more likely to be physically active as adults, have better motor skills and coordination, and have higher self-esteem and a sense of well-being (Stooden et al., 2008). Physical literacy also plays a crucial role in cognitive development, as it has been linked to improved academic performance and better cognitive function (Alesi et al., 2021; Darracott et al., 2020). 

                                                                                                                                                      Despite the numerous benefits of physical literacy, many families with children may lack the skills, confidence, knowledge, resources or motivation to engage in physical activity. This is where the PLAYshop program comes in. The PLAYshop program is a research initiative through the University of Alberta that explores a parent-focused intervention designed to promote active play and physical literacy development in early childhood (Carson et al., 2022). The program aims to support parents in playing with their children to develop physical literacy and improve their overall health and well-being. 

                                                                                                                                                      The PLAYshop program currently has funding to support lower-income families and is actively recruiting families living in Alberta and British Columbia. The program offers a free virtual workshop on physical literacy, a free digital app with active play ideas and tips, and a free goody bag with active play equipment and resources. Participating families would be asked to complete two 10-minute online questionnaires and attend a 60-minute virtual workshop about physical literacy, offered at flexible days and times. Half of the families will be asked to participate in a brief follow-up phone interview two months after the workshop. 

                                                                                                                                                      Organizations that serve vulnerable families can get involved in the PLAYshop research study by reaching out to Morgan Potter at perbel@ualberta.ca or calling 780-492-2004 for more information. Agency staff can be trained to lead the workshop, although this is optional. The program ensures that all data collected will be kept confidential, and the questionnaires, workshops, and interviews will be available in different languages, including English, Spanish, Farsi, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified). Devices with data plans will also be available to borrow if families do not have internet access. 

                                                                                                                                                      Physical literacy is a crucial component of overall health and well-being. Parent-focused interventions are one important avenue that may encourage physical literacy through active play in early childhood. For the latest information on physical literacy, see the Edmonton Social Planning Council Spring 2023 publication.

                                                                                                                                                      Rebecca Jansen is currently a graduate student at the University of Alberta studying Educational Policy Studies specializing in Adult, Community and Higher Ed. Her thesis research focuses on food sovereignty education. Rebecca also works in the not-for-profit sector coordinating a community education program focused on play and parental engagement for 0-5year olds. Rebecca holds a true passion for research and policy reform to realign power imbalances within social institutions that impact local communities. 

                                                                                                                                                      References: 

                                                                                                                                                      Alesi, M., Costa, S., Bianco, A., & Pepi, A. (2020). A teacher-led motor programme to enhance pre-literacy and motor skills in kindergarten children. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 18(3), 367–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2020.1789860 

                                                                                                                                                      Carson, V., Boyd, M., Potter, M., Rhodes, R., Liu, S., & Naylor, P.-J. (2022). Protocol for the PLAYshop randomised controlled trial: Examining efficacy of a virtually delivered parent-focused physical literacy intervention for early childhood on child-specific and family-specific outcomes. BMJ Open, 12(12), 66962. https://doi.org/10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-066962 

                                                                                                                                                      Darracott, C. R., Darracott, S. H., & Harris, P. P. (2019). Associations of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Enjoyment of Physical Activity with Children’s Literacy. Reading Improvement, 56(2), 51–58.  

                                                                                                                                                      The International Physical Literacy Association. (2017). Definition of Physical Literacy. https://physicalliteracy.ca/physical-literacy/ 

                                                                                                                                                      Stodden, D. F., Goodway, J. D., Langendorfer, S. J., Roberton, M. A., Rudisill, M. E., Garcia, C., & Garcia, L. E. (2008). A developmental perspective on the role of motor skill competence in physical activity: An emergent relationship. Quest, 60(2), 290-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2008.10483582 

                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. CM: SOS: I need help with my medication

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=”Download the Article Here (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SOS-I-Need-Help-with-my-Medication.pdf” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#008AC1″ button_bg_enable_color=”on”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Taking a medication exactly as prescribed is not as easy as it seems, contrary to popular belief. Reading comprehension is only one criteria to truly understand how to take a medication and be fully engaged in your health decisions. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Note: This is an excerpt from our March 2023 Community Matters, you can read the full publication here

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                [/et_pb_text][dmpro_button_grid _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_button_grid][dmpro_image_hotspot _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/dmpro_image_hotspot][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Research Review: You Give, We Take: The Hidden Ongoing Crisis in Canadian Nonprofit Employment

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”||3px|||” border_color_bottom=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/COLOUR-BLOCKS_spaced-300×51.png” title_text=”COLOUR BLOCKS_spaced” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”100%” max_height=”75px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”10px|0px|20px|0px|false|false” global_module=”96648″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”30px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#2b303a” custom_padding=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Research-Review-You-Give-We-Take.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the Research Review (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#008ac1″ custom_margin=”||19px|||” custom_padding=”||5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ text_text_color=”#2b303a” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008ac1″ header_2_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Published by Imagine Canada in Fall 2022, Emily Jensen’s “Diversity is Our Strength: Improving Working Conditions in Canadian Nonprofits” provides data about Canada’s current nonprofit sector. The report explores who currently makes up the nonprofit workforce and highlights problems that are common within the sector such as low salaries, lack of- or low benefits and few long-term work opportunities. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|false|false” border_color_left=”#a6c942″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Posted by:” job_title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsIm5hbWVfZm9ybWF0IjoiZGlzcGxheV9uYW1lIiwibGluayI6Im9uIiwibGlua19kZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6ImF1dGhvcl93ZWJzaXRlIn19@” portrait_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfcHJvZmlsZV9waWN0dXJlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnt9fQ==@” quote_icon=”off” portrait_width=”125px” portrait_height=”125px” disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”job_title,portrait_url” _module_preset=”default” body_text_color=”#000000″ author_font=”||||||||” author_text_align=”center” author_text_color=”#008ac1″ position_font=”||||||||” position_text_color=”#000000″ company_text_color=”#000000″ background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”32px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.65)” header_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding=”48px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiUmVsYXRlZCBjYXRlZ29yaWVzOiAgIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5In19@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]