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Blog entries by winnie

FIRST! Make Poverty History Social in Halifax

posted by winnie

It was a good gathering at the Tribeca Restaurant in Halifax last night. About 20 people showed up to talk informally and network about issues related to poverty reduction locally and internationally.

(Going from memory here - so if get any details wrong, anyone feel free to correct me. More info on the Make Poverty History Halifax facebook page)

This event came out of a new strategic planning effort by MPH at a workshop in Tatamagouche last year. Halifax Chair Merlin Watt also announced some other events coming up.

* Email campaign to raise awareness over 8 months leading up to next G8 Summit being hosted by Canada in 2010 next year.
* Support overall for what other groups in Halifax are doing.
* Federal hearings on poverty in Halifax in 3 weeks, and MPH Halifax has also been asked to host a panel in conjunction with this event. Looking for volunteers to help.

For more info:
Merlin Watt, MPH Halifax mphhalifax@gmail.com

What's the latest on Canada's Mental Health Commission?

posted by winnie

One in five Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetime. Canada is the only G8 country with no comprehensive plan to deal with mental health. (Globe and Mail, 2008)

In John Ralston Saul's new book, A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada, one of the things he mentions is a remarkable series of articles done by the Globe and Mail in 2008 on Mental Health by Andre Picard.
(http://www.theglobeandmail.com/breakdown)

He mentions it as an important area where Canada has fallen down in supporting its citizens (Saul notes before the BNA Act the phrase in all
government documents was actually 'peace, welfare and good government' not 'peace, order and good government').

We have since had the Kirby Commission that criss-crossed Canada asking for ideas to change the system. They have since been asking for feedback on a preliminary report called Out of the Shadows at Last.

The question is when will they be done, and what will happen next? When will things get better for Canadians? What's happening in NS?

Other resources:
CMHA Mental Health Week (May 4-10, 2009):
For more information contact: Alexandra Keay at akeay@cmha.ca or (613) 745-7750 Ext. 222.
CMHA Fast Facts about Mental Health & Mental Illness:
http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=6-20-23-43
Out of the Shadows at Last:
www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/SOCI-E/rep-e/ rep02may06-e.htm - 255k
NS Mental Health Association Fast Facts:
http://www.mentalhealthns.ca/content/view/40/55/
Healthy Minds Cooperative (based in Halifax):
http://www.healthyminds.ca/aboutus.html

NS Poverty Strategy Gov't Release

posted by winnie

Poverty Reduction Strategy Released
Community Services/Labour and Workforce Development
April 3, 2009 10:44 AM

A social media version of this release with audio, video and photographs will be available later today at www.gov.ns.ca/news/smr/20090403001COMS-LWD.asp .
Training low-skilled workers, increasing affordable housing and improving benefits for low-income families are the focus of Nova Scotia's $155 million Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Community Services Minister Chris d'Entremont and Labour and Workforce Development Minister Mark Parent introduced the strategy today, April 3, in Kentville. It responds to a series of recommendations from the Poverty Reduction Working Group, which was mandated through legislation supported by all three parties.

"The poverty reduction strategy is a framework for breaking the cycle of poverty and improving the standard of living for low-income Nova Scotians," said Mr. d'Entremont.

"This is a long-term plan for a Nova Scotia where resources are used wisely and government and community action is co-ordinated to effectively help those in need," said Mr. Parent.

The strategy was developed with the core goals of improving opportunities for rewarding work, improving support for people in need, putting a focus on children, and collaboration and co-ordination.

About $88 million will be invested in training workers with less than a Grade 12 education level. This will improve opportunities for people to get a job, or in some cases, get a better job. Much of this funding will come from the Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Development Agreement and the Labour Market Agreement. The funding will be used to provide skills training and upgrading, and to help with job search strategies.

Major initiatives to improve supports for those in need include the redesign of the Employment Support and Income Assistance program, and investing $59 million to increase access to quality, affordable housing and the development of a provincial housing strategy.

As part of the focus on children, Nova Scotia's Child Benefit and Low Income Pharmacare for Children program will be made available to more families. New investments will also make more child care subsidies available and all subsidies will be made portable.

Mr. d'Entremont and Mr. Parent...

General Update from Campaign 2000 (Coalition to End Poverty in Canada)

posted by winnie

Email Update from Campaign 2000:

Campaign 2000 continues its work with its partners to convince governments that effective poverty reduction is part of economic stimulus and recovery. As Canada enters this period of economic insecurity, it is even more crucial that public policies focus on vulnerable individuals, families and communities.

As we approach twenty years since the November 1989 resolution to end child poverty in Canada, the good news is that more and more provincial governments have recognized the importance of having a poverty reduction strategy. Some have developed and implemented concrete plans. In both Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador, the child and family poverty rate continues to go down.

At the federal level, the House of Commons recently voted unanimously to urge G8 and G20 leaders to make reducing poverty a priority in their economic stimulus plans considered at their April meeting, and the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (the HUMA Committee) is conducting public hearings on the study of the federal role for combating poverty in Canada. With our partners we're urging the federal government to develop a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy for Canada that's long overdue.

NS Poverty Reduction Strategy Lacks Help for those in Greatest Need, says local group

posted by winnie

Just in from Campaign 2000 (Coalition to Reduce Poverty in Canada):

The Community Coalition to End Poverty in Nova Scotia (CCEP - NS) co-chair Paul O'Hara described the announcement as "a small start in reducing poverty across the province". He expressed support for the establishment of a "coordinated, collaborative, government-wide framework", the appointment of a provincial coordinator, and the funds for housing. At the same time, CCEP - NS added that the government's strategy "lacks focus" on those most in need and at higher risk. CCEP - NS called for substantive and strategic investment immediately to help those in need now, and in the future.

Background:

NOVA SCOTIA released Poverty Reduction Strategy on April 3rd, 2009

Following extensive work by the Poverty Reduction Committee composed of community and government representatives (including Campaign 2000 partner Paul O'Hara of North End Community Health Centre), the government of Nova Scotia became the fourth province to adopt a poverty reduction strategy. The strategy provides a framework for addressing the needs of those most vulnerable and those at risk of falling into poverty, while promoting the prosperity necessary for Nova Scotia to grow, according to the official announcement.

Does this announcement include the key elements of a poverty reduction strategy as identified by Campaign 2000, National Council of Welfare and others?

Targets and timelines; C2000 calls for a minimum 25% reduction in child & family poverty over 5 years, and 50% reduction over 10 years;
Indicators for measuring and tracking progress in key policy areas such as income security, good jobs, early childhood education & care services, affordable housing;
A coordinated, multi-year action plan across government departments with budget allocations;
Annual monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability.

More at:
www.gov.ns.ca/govt/povertystrategy
www.campaign2000.ca

Anyone interested in doing a story on this, check out the Halifax Media Coop's Call for Submissions.