Update from our Annual Report

Human Services & Poverty Task Force Report in PIA's 2010-2011 Annual Report

Click here for the Human Services & Poverty Task Force Report in PDF

Click here to access our full annual reports

Plain text of the Human Services & Poverty Task Force Report:

Despite Alberta’s incredible wealth, far too many people are struggling in poverty and unable to access enough quality human services and programs. While giving away billions in subsidies and tax cuts to corporations, the cuts to support people in poverty and in need of human services has left far too many Alberta individuals and families struggling.

The task force members were very involved this past year in building support for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy. Last June, we released new statistics about low-wage workers in Alberta and task force member organizations presented to the Standing Committee on the Economy’s review of Alberta’s minimum wage policy. We made many presentations to encourage organizations and local governments to support the call for a poverty reduction strategy. In November, we release a new report, Time for Action: Working Together to End Poverty in Alberta, in partnership with the Edmonton Social Planning Council. PIA was involved in the coordination of a large provincial forum in partnership with Inter-City Forum on Social Policy and Family and Community Supports Services Alberta Association. This has lead to a plan to work together to establish a provincial poverty reduction network supported by most municipalities and many community organizations.

This coming year, we will continue to reach out to provincial government ministries to support a public consultation plan to develop a strategy that will set clear timelines and targets to prevent, reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty in Alberta.

Our advocacy work with many human service organizations has continued from the success of past campaigns. Despite these successes, continued lack of funding has resulted in a two year wage freeze of front line staff working with people with developmental disabilities and changes to government contracts will lead to more privatization and elimination of small community organizations.

This will further reduce the chances of increasing the professionalization and quality of the staffing, particularly as we see the economy starting to heat up again and staff turnover rates increasing. As many human service organizations have been intimidated to not speak out about the lack of support for human services in this province, PIA must increase our advocacy efforts for real commitments to these vital public human services.

Also available: Last year's (2009-2010) Task Force Report in PDF