Issues
As part of ON THE WATCH I have highlighted several pressing issues that the Ministry of Social Services is currently dealing with. I am concerned that much more attention and action is required because those most vulnerable in our society are at risk. Please click on each issue for more information.
We were pleased to see Federal Minister Chuck Strahl announce the long overdue support for First Nations family services. We are hopeful that these resources will be in place quickly so that those at risk get the support needed.
This section will be updated on a regular basis as issues are resolved and more information becomes available.
David
Saskatchewan is experiencing a housing crisis. Student housing, seniors housing, low-income housing and housing for those living with disabilities, and the ever-rising cost of rent are concerns that cannot be ignored.
But that’s what the Sask Party government’s budget did. Despite the dire need, it provided no real action on affordable housing. In fact, it cut $5 million from Sask Housing.
The previous NDP government allocated a lot of resources to a variety of housing initiatives -- $200 million for the HomeFirst affordable housing strategy which resulted in almost 1,500 affordable housing units; increased shelter allowances and rental housing supplements; a new HomeFirst Secondary Suites program to help people build basement suites in existing housing; and forgivable loans and a deferred, repayable low-interest mortgage program for 500 families through the HomeFirst Homeownership Program.
Contrary to the previous government’s action, the Sask Party government simply appointed a task force to study the issue.
They now have the task force report. The Minister of Social Services has said that they will be implementing “innovative solutions in the weeks and months ahead.” We’re waiting.
The following documents are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view|print; you may download a free copy here: Download Adobe Reader
Creating Momentum: Solutions for Saskatchewan Housing Affordability and Homelessness
Sustaining the Momentum: Recommendations for a National Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness
MINISTER ACCEPTS REPORT FROM TASK FORCE ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Affordable Housing: An Investment
Backgrounder - Task Force on Housing Affordability
GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO TASK FORCE ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
The Wall government’s decision to claw back $8 million from Station 20 in March 2008 really came to show its true colours of meanness and lack of understanding of what creates a healthy vibrant community. The protest march of 2500 citizens this spring underlined the community’s support for the project.
Much has been said and written about the Station 20 and Premier Wall Fiasco. We hope that at some point some government support in any meaningful way can be arranged.
The following documents are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view|print; you may download a free copy here: Download Adobe Reader
Station 20 West
Health Disparity by Neighbourhood Income
$100 MILLION PLAN TO REVITALIZE SASKATCHEWAN NEIGHBOURHOODS
STATION 20 WEST PROJECT PROCEEDS
Within weeks of coming into power, the Wall Government sent some very troubling signals to the people within the Disabilities community. After not one word in the Throne Speech about those living with disabilities, the Minister responsible disbanded the Disabilities Council without an announcement in January. In the Spring Legislature, The Minister of Education quickly amended the Education Act, replacing the term “disabilities” with “intensive needs” but said nothing really changed. The recent housing report failed to make any significant recommendations for increased housing for those living with disabilities.
Recently, The Minister of Social Services has been making some strong indications that she will review income support programs for those living with disabilities. Knowing that up to 70% of those on the static caseload for Social Services are living with a disability, the time for action is now.
The following documents are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view|print; you may download a free copy here: Download Adobe Reader
The Fragmentation of Citizenship and Community: Disability Rights, Economic (In)Security, and Social Policy
Disability Advocates Alarmed and Distressed by Proposed Changes to the Education Act
NDP: KRAWETZ MUST STALL BILL THAT EXPERTS SAY IS AN ATTACK ON THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.
The Children’s Advocate in his 2007 annual report released on June 26, 2008 is urging the Sask Party government to "take immediate action -- the right action -- and make children and youth a priority in Saskatchewan by implementing the ChildrenandYouthFirst Principles."
Ted Merriman on May 16th 2007, the Sask Part Social Services Critic, read the Children and Youth First Principles into the Legislative record saying that a SaskParty Government would move quickly to put the Principles into action.
Several months have passed and the Minister of Social Services now is saying that she is committed to hiring a new senior civil servant to review existing legislation and policies in light of the concerns raised by the Children’s Advocate and with the intent of adopting the principles of a child-centred service delivery model.
The Sask Party government has provided no other details including who will be involved in this extensive review. We are very anxious about the apparent delays on this very important file.
The following documents are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view|print; you may download a free copy here: Download Adobe Reader
SASKATCHEWAN CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE URGES GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE RIGHT ACTION AND TO MAKE CHILDREN AND YOUTH A PRIORITY
Children's Advocate Office 2007 Annual Report
Child protection should be priority: advocate’s report
Brad Wall’s election platform called for a CBO summit to be held within 4 months of the election. Now, the Sask Party government has finally arranged the summit of Community-Based Organizations for this fall, almost a full year after their election.
The stated goal of the CBO summit is to "help government and CBOs to work together, share ideas and seek new approaches to building a bright future for Saskatchewan people." But many workers within CBOs and the government are concerned that the Sask Party’s true intention is to off-load the provision of more government services to already over-stretched and under-resourced Community-Based Organizations.
The CBO sector has repeatedly raised the critical issue ofadequate support for human resources. Clearly, the government, with lots of available resources, must be prepared toact and deliver on this expectation and not turn around and ask theCBOs to do more with less.
The following documents are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view|print; you may download a free copy here: Download Adobe Reader
Hundreds of job cuts were announced at Social Services. But the Minister of Social Services claimed she didn’t know anything about it.
The chaos that followed left Social Services staff in turmoil.
One income assistance worker said, " It’s an emotional roller-coaster. It’s been very hard on staff morale. The stress level has been phenomenal. And there has not been a whole lot of answers."
It’s no wonder that The StarPhoenix wrote, "Rather than appear to be competent manager of the public purse, Premier Brad Wall’s team has been extravagant in its spending, ham-handed in its communications strategy and incompetent in its delivery."
All this action inside the Ministry, while those caught in poverty are wondering when do they get to benefit from Saskatchewan’s boom times. Whether they are living with disabilities, single parents or dealing with addictions, people are waiting for meaningful action that will help them!
The following documents are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view|print; you may download a free copy here: Download Adobe Reader