Community Pulls Together to Reduce Poverty in Saskatchewan

Released on April 28, 2015

More than 100 individuals representing more than 60 organizations from across the province are gathering today in Saskatoon for a facilitated roundtable discussion aimed at finding ways to reduce poverty in Saskatchewan.

“Our government has taken many positive actions to address poverty, including enhancing income supports, making significant investments in housing, and building a strong economy to ensure that everyone benefits from the province’s growth,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said.  “We know there is more work to do, however.  That is why government has committed to working with the community to create recommendations for the future development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy.”

The roundtable discussions will be facilitated by Liz Weaver of the Tamarack Institute.  Tamarack is a non-profit organization that works with communities to collaborate on social change.  The organization has led poverty reduction strategies across the country and will be hosting a national poverty summit in May that both co-chairs from Saskatchewan’s Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction (AGPR) are scheduled to attend.

“The advisory group recognizes there are many local strategies for poverty reduction already occurring in communities across Saskatchewan,” AGPR Citizen Co-Chair Alison Robertson said.  “We hope to learn more about these initiatives through the roundtable and get advice from the community that will inform the recommendations we will be submitting to government in June.”

“Our government has released several strategies, including the Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan and the Housing Strategy, and we’ll be launching the Disability Strategy later this year,” Harpauer said.  “These major initiatives all have touch points related to poverty.  This roundtable is a way for us to build on what is already being done in the province and identify areas that need more focused attention in order to make life better for all Saskatchewan people.”

The advisory group encourages members of the public to complete the poverty reduction online survey, which is available until May 15, 2015 at www.saskatchewan.ca/government/have-your-say/reducing-poverty-in-saskatchewan.

The 11-member Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction is comprised of six members of the public and five members of government.  The group is expected to provide its recommendations to government in June.

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For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca

Alison Robertson
Citizen Co-Chair
Saskatoon
Email: alison@saskatoonfoodbank.org