REGINA – An advisory group has been named to fight poverty in Saskatchewan. Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer announced Monday 11 people who will be on the team, including health and food bank officials.
“This group will be responsible for reviewing all the work we’ve done to address poverty in Saskatchewan and identify any gaps where more work needs to be done,” said Harpauer in a release.
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The advisory committee is made up of six representatives from community organizations and five from various government ministries. One of those involved is Alison Robertson, the director of community operations for the Saskatoon Food Bank.
“I look forward to bringing the community voice to the conversation in development of a poverty reduction plan that makes sense for Saskatchewan,” said Robertson, who is a co-chair of the committee.
Also taking part is Saskatoon family physician Ryan Meili, who is also the executive director of Upstream.
“The government’s announcement today shows a commitment to consulting the expertise of our community, and gives me reason to hope that this plan will truly contribute to a more healthy and equitable society,” said Meili.
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The advisory group will hold roundtable discussions with community groups and the public to develop a strategy to combat poverty. The recommendations will then be given to the government in May 2015.
The members of the group are:
- Dr. Cory Neudorf – Chief Medical Health Officer, Saskatoon Health Region
- Alison Robertson (co-chair) – Director of Community Development, Saskatoon Food Bank
- Dr. Ryan Meili – Physician, WestSide Community Clinic and Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health (SWITCH)
- Russ Mirasty – Retired RCMP Commanding Officer in Saskatchewan
- Steve Compton – Chief Executive Officer, Regina Food Bank
- Dr. Jo-Ann Episkenew – Director, Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre
- Constance Hourie (co-chair) – Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Assistance and Corporate Planning, Ministry of Social Services
- Alastair MacFadden – Assistant Deputy Minister, Labour Market Development, Ministry of Economy
- Greg Miller – Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education
- Ron Anderson – Assistant Deputy Minister, Community Safety Outcomes and Corporate Services, Ministry of Justice/Corrections and Policing
- Karen Lautsch – Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health
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