Saskatchewan government creates Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction

A new group made up of community leaders and government officials was formed to reduce poverty in Saskatchewan. 

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer announced in Saskatoon today that the province has formed the Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction. The 11-member group — made up of six community representatives and five from government ministries — will review the work the province has done so far to address poverty and look at any gaps where work is needed. 

Alison Robertson, the Saskatoon Food Bank's community development director, is co-chairing the advisory group.

"People who are experiencing poverty have their choices limited by their lack of resources," she said. "And that further limits their choices. And it really is this vicious cycle. But it's one that we can address."

Ryan Meili, a Saskatoon family physician and executive director for Upstream, a non-partisan organization aimed at creating a healthy society, is also one of the community representatives. 

“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,” Meili stated in a media release. 

The advisory group will be holding a poverty roundtable with community groups in May. The group’s recommendations to the province will help inform the development of the Saskatchewan Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Members of the Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction include: 

• Dr. Cory Neudorf – Chief Medical Health Officer, Saskatoon Health Region
• Alison Robertson (co-chair) – Director of Community Development, Saskatoon Food Bank
• 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
• Dr. Ryan Meili – Physician, WestSide Community Clinic and Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community Health (SWITCH)