The Saskatchewan government this week released a strategy that will guide poverty-reduction efforts across the province.
The Saskatchewan Poverty Reduction Strategy contains initiatives that aim to reduce the number of residents who experience poverty for two years or more by 50 per cent by the end of 2025.
“We will work with community-based organizations, the federal government and individuals across the province to ensure that there are supports and services available to help citizens improve their quality of life and find a way out of poverty,” Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said in a news release.
In addition to improving communication and teamwork amongst government and communities, the new strategy focuses on six key areas for action: income security; housing and homelessness; early childhood development and child care; education, skills training and employment; health and food security; and vulnerable families and individuals.
Early efforts will focus on: implementing a Ministry of Education Early Years Plan; initiating a redesign of the Ministry of Social Services’ income assistance programs and services; and expanding housing for “hard to house” individuals to support their integration into the community.
The province said the new strategy was developed based on recommendations from the Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction.
