Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: **Digital Resources

  • 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 NPW Employee Survey Results

     

    Title:CPA 2010 national payroll week employee survey
    Corporate Author: Framework Partners Inc.
    Subject:Employment – general
    Publisher:The Canadian Payroll Association
    Place of Publication:Toronto
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    A major national survey of working Canadians shows that employees continue to live paycheque to paycheque. They are concerned about how interest rates and the economy will affect their personal finances and retirement. The 2nd annual National Payroll Week Employee Survey, conducted by the Canadian Payroll Association (CPA), found that: * The majority of Canadian workers continue to live paycheque to paycheque, with 59% saying they would be in financial difficulty if their paycheque was delayed by a week. * Sixty-two percent (62%) of respondents expect a salary increase but the the vast majority (83%) also expect their cost of living will increase in the next twelve months. * Almost half (47%) are saving only 5% or less of their net pay. Financial planning experts generally recommend a retirement savings rate of about 10% of net pay. * The overwhelming majority (81%) say their first priority if they were to win $1 million from a lottery, would be to pay off their debt. * While 59% feel the economy in their city or town will improve in the next year, this was down from 67% in 2009. Workers in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces are less confident about their local economies. * Two in three working Canadians (69%) say it would be difficult to find comparable employment with a similar salary if they lost their job. * One quarter of employees (24%) like the electronic pay statements they receive from their employers; an increase of 11% from 2009. Ranking of Economic Issues by Canadians * First or most frequently mentioned concern: Higher interest rates * Second concern: Not being able to save enough to retire comfortably * Third concern: Inflation * Fourth concern: Falling back into a recession * Fifth concern: Loss of my job * Sixth concern: A decline in the value of my house

    Language:English
    Material Type:Presentation

    H. LABOUR/H.07 EMPLOYMENT/2010 NPW_Employee_Survey_Results.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

  • 2010 Combating Poverty

     

    Title:Combating poverty and inequality: structural change, social policy and politics.
    Corporate Author: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
    Subject:Poverty – planning, policy
    Publisher:United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
    Place of Publication:Geneva
    Date of Publication:2010
    Abstract:

    Poverty reduction is a central feature of the international development agenda and contemporary poverty reduction strategies increasingly focus on “targeting the poor”, yet poverty and inequality remain intractable foes. Combating Poverty and Inequality argues that this is because many current approaches to reducing poverty and inequality fail to consider key institutional, policy and political dimensions that may be both causes of poverty and inequality, and obstacles to their reduction. The report is structured around three main issues, which, it argues, are the critical elements of a sustainable and inclusive development strategy: * patterns of growth and structural change (whether in the agricultural, industrial or service sectors) that generate and sustain jobs that are adequately remunerated and accessible to all, regardless of income or class status, gender, ethnicity or location; * comprehensive social policies that are grounded in universal rights and that are supportive of structural change, social cohesion and democratic politics; and * protection of civic rights, activism and political arrangements that ensure states are responsive to the needs of citizens and the poor have influence in how policies are made. The report lays out a range of policies and institutional measures that countries can adopt to alleviate poverty and inequality. It will thus be of interest to policy, scholarly and activist audiences.

    Language:English
    Material Type:Report

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