Communities Respond - Summary Report of PFS Consultations 2011-2012

Abstract

Recently Saskatchewan has experienced an increase in economic activity – a “boom”, but this monetary gain has not been experienced by everyone. Many people struggle daily without adequate income, food, or housing. Poverty affects a very wide range of people. Groups that are particularly hard hit are Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) people, newcomers, women (especially senior women), single men, students, youth, people with disabilities, people with addictions and mental health issues, people leaving prisons, and vulnerable and special needs populations, including those with intellectual challenges. Poverty is a problem in urban, rural and northern locations. Poverty excludes many Saskatchewan residents from full participation in our province. Yet Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada without a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to deal with poverty. People in every part of Saskatchewan have decided that it is time for action and are seeking solutions .Previously, PFS published two documents: Let’s Do Something About Poverty and Strategies to Eliminate Poverty in Saskatchewan. To gauge citizen response and advance the work of eliminating poverty in the province, PFS conducted a series of consultations in 2011 and 2012. The Communities Respond report outlines the input received from the community discussions. These ideas will be used in future to develop an integrated and comprehensive poverty elimination plan. This plan will be built on the results of the community consultations, and a review of successful strategies in other provinces and in local Saskatchewan communities.