Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: **Resources: Social Issues:

  • 2010 Active Living

     

    Title:An environmental scan of active living and fall prevention programs for older adults in Alberta
    Author(s):Hystad, Jennifer
    Corporate Author: Alberta Centre for Active Living
    Subject:Seniors – programs, services|split|Seniors – community facilities|split|Housing – for seniors
    Publisher:Alberta Centre for Active Living
    Place of Publication:Edmonton
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    In 2009, the Alberta Centre for Active Living initiated this environmental scan through a grant from the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation. An external consultant, Jennifer Hystad, MSc, was contracted to carry out the environmental scan and report on findings. Her experience with older adult physical activity and understanding of background issues were beneficial to this project. A provincial Project Advisory Committee guided the project and made important contributions. This Summary Report offers insights about the core findings of the scan and highlights a series of recommendations.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.11 SENIORS/2010 active_living.pdf

  • 2010 Educational Pathways

     

    Title:Educational pathways and academic performance of youth of immigrant origin in Toronto
    Author(s):Anisef, Paul|split|Brown, Robert|split|Sweet, Robert|split|Walters, David
    Subject:Education – general|split|Immigration – general|split|Youth – programs, services
    Publisher:Ryerson University, School of Early Childhood Education
    Place of Publication:Toronto
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    This paper examines the educational pathways of a cohort of students who started high school in fall 2000 within the Toronto District Board of Education (TDSB) and is derived from a larger pan-Canadian study of students in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver who were expected to graduate in 2004 if they did not experience delays. Male students – those who entered high school a year older than the average age, those who moved between schools, those who come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and those who attended socio-economically disadvantaged schools – were less likely to graduate, regardless of language. The fact that ESL instruction for non-English speakers is negatively associated with graduation suggests that such assistance is not sufficient to attain necessary achievement levels. Immigrant students whose language is not English were more likely to graduate; however, being an English-speaking immigrant (especially one from the Caribbean) is a risk factor. Being enrolled in a school with a high level of non-English speakers is positively associated with graduation.

    Language:English
    Series:CERIS Working Paper No. 82
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F06 IMMIGRATION/2010 educational_pathways.pdf

  • 2010 Happiness: Does Money Matter

     

    Title:Does money matter?: determining the happiness of Canadians.
    Author(s):Sharpe, Andrew|split|Ghanghro, Ali|split|Johnson, Erik|split|Kidwai, Anam
    Subject:Social determinants of health|split|Social issues – general
    Publisher:Centre for the Study of Living Standards
    Place of Publication:Ottawa
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    This report explains why people living in certain regions or cities in Canada experience higher levels of life satisfaction or happiness. We make use of micro-level data from the Canadian Community Health Survey for 2007 and 2008. After a descriptive analysis of the data on happiness in Canada, the report identifies, through an econometric analysis of both individual and certain variables in a societal context, the factors that are the most statistically and economically significant determinants of individual happiness. We find that household income is a relatively weak determinant of individual happiness. Perceived mental and physical health status as well as stress levels and sense of belonging are better predictors of happiness. We then use these estimates to account for variation in happiness at the provincial, CMA (Census Metropolitan Area), and health region level, given the characteristics of the population in these geographical units. We find that the most important reason for geographical variations in happiness in Canada is differences in the sense of belonging to local communities, which is generally higher in small CMAs, rural areas, and Atlantic Canada.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.01 GENERAL/2010 happiness-Does Money matter.pdf

  • 2010 Social Cohesion

     

    Title:Defining and measuring social cohesion
    Author(s):Jenson, Jane
    Subject:Social issues – social development|split|Social issues – public participation
    Publisher:United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
    Place of Publication:London
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    The country case studies and thematic papers in this series, published jointly by UNRISD and the Commonwealth Secretariat, examine social policy issues facing small states and their implications for economic development. They show how, despite their inherent vulnerability, some small states have been successful in improving their social indicators because of the complementary social and economic policies they have implemented. Social cohesion is a concept with multiple definitions and uses in the development community. Its general aim is to ensure that all citizens, without discrimination and on an equal footing, have access to fundamental social and economic rights. Jane Jenson examines this concept in policy debates and assesses its role in social development. Part I examines the literature on social cohesion, identifying three different ‘families’ of usage and the empirical grounding of each. Part II presents a range of indicators that have previously been used to measure social cohesion. Part III provides some discussion of the lessons to be drawn and the indicators that might be used to measure social cohesion in future.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.01 GENERAL/2010 social_cohesion.pdf

  • 2010 Current State Family Finances

    Title:The current state of Canadian family finances: 2009 report.
    Author(s):Sauvé, Roger
    Subject:Family – general|split|Family – finances|split|Family – statistics
    Publisher:Vanier Institute of the Family
    Place of Publication:Ottawa
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    Of particular interest to readers of The Current State of Canadian Family Finances is the Bank of Canada’s conclusion that, among five key risks to the Canadian financial system, only one has become more pronounced. That risk concerns household balance sheets in households that continue to take on more and more debt relative to income. This annual report has warned about this alarming trend in previous issues.

    Many Canadians are worried about their debt loads. A recent Manulife Financial poll found “that paying down credit cards and lines of credit is a growing financial priority among Canadians.”4 About 28% pegged debt elimination as their main goal, up from 24% a year earlier, and marking a five-year high. The second priority is paying down the mortgage, and the third is saving for retirement. Will Canadians follow through with corrective actions … or is this just wishful thinking?

    The economy has clearly moved off the bottom and a slow recovery seems to be the consensus outlook. Even so, many difficulties and challenges remain. So far, much of the recovery has been the result of government fiscal and monetary stimulus. The global economy is still waiting for the private sector to play a bigger role.

    Key features characterize the economic outlook in Canada:

    Interest rates are at record low levels and are likely to remain there for at least several more months.

    Government deficits are at record high levels with ongoing deficits and growing government debt foreseen for several more years.

    The Federal and Provincial governments, the Bank of Canada and CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) will likely begin to formulate and apply “exit” strategies to reduce deficits and pull back on the monetary and fiscal levers that are now in place. This will involve hard choices, including rising interest rates, spending cuts, tightening mortgage terms and tax increases.

    There are long years of recovery ahead.

    Language:English
    Series:Family Finances
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.11 FAMILY/2010 Current_state Family Finances.pdf

  • 2010 Poverty Nova Scotia

    Title:The cost of poverty in Nova Scotia
    Author(s):MacEwen, Angella|split|Saulnier, Christine
    Subject:Poverty – general|split|Social determinants of health|split|Education – general
    Publisher:Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Nova Scotia
    Place of Publication:Halifax, NS
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    For those who argue that we cannot afford to end poverty, this report makes clear that we cannot afford to ignore it. There is obviously a moral imperative to end poverty first and foremost for those living in poverty. But, there also exists a compelling business case to be made for effective poverty reduction strategies because very real costs of poverty are borne by society as a whole. Poverty is linked with higher rates of crime, increased health care needs, higher school drop-out rates, and lost productivity. If additional poverty reduction dollars are invested wisely alongside current poverty alleviation programs, there will be short and long-term savings to offset the initial investment.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

    F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.04 POVERTY/2010 poverty_nova_scotia.pdf