Edmonton Social Planning Council

Category: ESPC Announcements

  • 2022 Annual Report of the Edmonton Social Planning Council

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    Read our Annual Report and learn about who we are, our work in 2022 that shows our continued dedication to encouraging the adoption of equitable social policy, supporting the work of other organizations who are striving to improve the lives of Edmontonians, and educating the public regarding the social issues that impact them on a daily basis.

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  • 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 

     

     

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

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                                                                            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. Research Review: Addressing Indigenous Mental Health: a Journey to Reconciliation

                                                                                                                                                    [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/2023/02/Research-Review-Indigenous-Mental-Health.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the Research Review (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _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=”4.19.5″ 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 article aims to develop strategies to improve mental health systems in Indigenous communities through a two-day forum in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The forum gathered information on what the mental health needs are for this community, and performed interviews with relevant stakeholders to understand what their concerns were. This allowed the authors to develop four key themes that would provide directions and strategies to be followed in order to improve these systems and the Indigenous lives that could benefit from them. 

                                                                                                                                                    [/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]

                                                                                                                                                  2. fACT Sheet: Affordability Payments to Address Rising Inflation: What You Need to Know

                                                                                                                                                    [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/2023/01/January-fACT-Sheet.pdf” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Download the fACT Sheet (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _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=”4.19.4″ 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″]

                                                                                                                                                    Please note this is an excerpt from this fACT Sheet

                                                                                                                                                    Rising inflation has been a pressing concern for all households trying to make ends meet. Increasing prices for food, fuel, utilities (e.g. heat, electricity), and other goods has been a stressor for many Albertans, especially those living in low-income and poverty as wages and income support programs have been stagnant. The latter income support programs also did not keep pace with inflation between 2019 and 2022 before being re-indexed for 2023.

                                                                                                                                                    To address these affordability pressures, the Government of Alberta will be distributing temporary relief payments of $600 to eligible households. These payments will be tax-free.

                                                                                                                                                    The following is a breakdown of the known details (as of January 9, 2022) of these affordability payments and what people need to know to apply. More information can be found on the Government of Alberta website.

                                                                                                                                                    [/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]

                                                                                                                                                  3. Celebrate! Tomorrow is International Volunteer Day!

                                                                                                                                                    [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=”{}”][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=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][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=”{}”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][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=”{}”][/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=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][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=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9kYXRlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJkYXRlX2Zvcm1hdCI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJjdXN0b21fZGF0ZV9mb3JtYXQiOiIifX0=@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Volunteer_Impact_Report_2022.pdf” button_text=”Download the Volunteer Impact Report (PDF)” _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#008AC1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.2″ 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” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]

                                                                                                                                                    International Volunteer Day was started by the UN in 1985 and celebrated on December 5th. This is a day of recognition for volunteers at international, national and local levels. This year’s theme is solidarity through volunteering. Change happens when we work together. To learn more click here.  

                                                                                                                                                    The contributions of volunteers are integral to the work of many agencies and organizations. The knowledge, support and effort volunteers bring to the service of people and the agencies has incredible impact both in seen and unseen ways.  

                                                                                                                                                    Thank you to all the volunteers who support and contribute to the Edmonton Social Planning Council. 

                                                                                                                                                    “Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” 

                                                                                                                                                    – Helen Dyer 

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