The link between poverty and race in Saskatchewan

This Focus Saskatchewan feature from Global News highlights how certain groups in the province (e.g. First Nations and Métis peoples, single parent households, recent immigrants, and people with disabilities) have considerably higher rates of poverty. For example, while about a quarter of children in SK live in poverty (Campaign 2000 report), 64% of status First Nations children in the province live in poverty (CCPA, 2013).

Link to the story: http://globalnews.ca/news/2291290/the-link-between-poverty-and-race-in-saskatchewan/

Aboriginal job seekers in Sask. feel unemployment crunch: CBC

As unemployment in the province rises, this article by the CBC notes that Aboriginal people are especially hit hard. This trend has implications for the income gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the SK.

Link to the article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/aboriginal-job-seekers-in-sask-feel-unemployment-crunch-1.2996070

Media attention shows concern for poverty

The PFS report Communities Respond has received considerable media attention, showing the importance this issue has in the public eye.

Included in CBC TV 6:00 PM news.

CKOM – Saskatoon coverage. http://www.newstalk650.com/story/organization-calls-province-wide-strategy-poverty/79515

Lead story on Global News http://www.globalregina.com/

Radio-Canada http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/saskatchewan/2012/10/15/003-pauvrete-rapport-saskatchewan.shtml

Regina Leader Post article – this article was on the Front page of the Leader Post today. http://www.leaderpost.com/Report+details+plan+tackle+poverty+Saskatchewan/7394120/story.html

Communities Respond – Report Released

The Communities Respond report was released by Poverty Free Saskatchewan today.

PFS Communities Respond – Highlights, Oct 15, 2012 final

PFS Communities Respond – Summary Report, Oct 15, 2012 final

Communities Respond documents the responses of participants in a series of public consultations held in 7 Saskatchewan locations in 2011 and 2012: North Battleford, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, Tisdale, Nipawin and Melfort.

More than 170 participants attending the regional discussions said that it is time to move ahead on addressing poverty. People from the communities emphasized that many Saskatchewan residents are suffering greatly from the effects of poverty and this is preventing them from fully participating in our province.  Participants also identified many concrete positive actions that can be taken.

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.

The document release is part of events in Saskatchewan and around the world honouring the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which occurs on Oct 17.

Communities Respond – report on consultations

Poverty Free Saskatchewan : Press Conference

 Monday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m., Family Service Regina Boardroom, 2020 Halifax Street

 The press conference will mark the release of the Communities Respond research document which summarizes information from community consultations held across Saskatchewan in 2011 and 2012.

 The event is occurring at the start of Anti-Poverty Week, leading up to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.

For more information, email PFS or call (306) 535-9570.