Edmonton Social Planning Council

04/03/2025

The beginning of April marks the start of Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month.

In a blog post from staff member Susanne Urbina, she reflects on the devastating effects genocide has had around the world and Canada’s own role and complicity when it comes to the Indigenous peoples of this land.

Read more:

Blog: Recognizing the Past, Preventing the Future: April 1st is Genocide Remembrance Day by Susanne Urbina | April 1, 2025 | Blog: Racism, ESPC Announcements ‹ Previous PostCommunity Matters (March 2025) — Seniors, Aging, and Older Adults Recommended Posts: Day of Mourning: The Impact of Workpla...

03/31/2025

Our latest edition of our newsletter Community Matters is now available!

The goal of Community Matters is to keep our community informed about the issues that impact those who live here. This publication provides readers with the knowledge to connect the dots between social issues, research, and policy.

For our March 2025 issue, we are focusing on the various aspects of aging, particularly the experiences of seniors and older adults. Topics include aging in an Indigenous context, seniors’ income benefits, mental health care for seniors, transit accessibility, elder abuse, intergenerational connection and learning, long-term care alternatives, and issues in continuing care.

Read more: https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/2025/03/27/community-matters-march-2025-seniors-aging-and-older-adults/

12/30/2024

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported our work throughout 2024. Your encouragement and contributions allowed us to take on bigger projects.

A special thank-you goes out to everyone who helped make our Bake Sale a tremendous success! Thanks to your generosity and participation, we raised nearly $1,000, which will make a significant difference in our initiatives.

As we look ahead to 2025, we wish you all a year filled with joy, prosperity, and opportunities to continue making a positive impact together.

Thank you for being a part of our journey! ♥️

11/27/2024

ESPC’s Annual Bake Sale is on wheels this year, and we want to bring the Christmas joy to you! 🤶🎁

Participate in by purchasing Christmas baking from the EDMONTON SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL.

Each box filled with a dozen cookies and squares ordered will help support us to continue our social research and data analysis.

Our reports and recommendations provide knowledge and expertise on issues around low income, poverty and the unhoused. We support other organizations to improve the lives of everyone in Edmonton.

✨ The strength of our voice depends on YOU! ✨

🗓️ Donation and order period: November 27th - December 6h.
🚗 Box delivery period: December 11th or December 12th.

Place your order (minimum $30 per order) by accessing: https://lnkd.in/gSjZenxE . We will get confirmation of your order on the next business day. You will be sent a tax receipt directly from Canada Helps.

Fill out the Google Form to arrange delivery:
https://lnkd.in/gZrRhENG

These links are also available in our Instagram bio.

⚠️The United Way is one of our funders and we couldn’t do the work we do without their support. 10% of the money raised will be donated to them! 😊

11/22/2024

Join us in our series of free lunchtime talks about social issues and learn about diverse ways to help create a community in which all people are full and valued participants!

Event Description: The Alberta Living Wage Network, operating under the auspices of Edmonton Social Planning Council, works extensively all across Alberta with calculating the annual living wage numbers for participating communities and provides certification for employers who pay their employees a living wage, depending on which communities they operate in. For this Lunch & Learn event, participants will learn what a living wage, how it is calculated for each community, why it matters, and why paying a living wage is not only beneficial for workers but helps contribute to the success for companies and organizations across any industry.



Speakers:
Ryan Lacanilao, Coordinator
Alberta Living Wage Network



Franco Savoia, Chair
Alberta Living Wage Network

11/18/2024

11/18/2024

Did you know? The Edmonton Social Planning Council is a founding member of the Alberta Living Wage Network. This Network provides support for Alberta communities for the annual living wage calculations and certifies living wage employers. :)

11/18/2024

Today, Edmonton Social Planning Council in collaboration with the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN or “the Network”) has released a new 2024 Living Wage report for Edmonton. The latest report calculates the new living wage number to be $20.85 per hour in Edmonton.

The living wage has decreased by $1.40 compared to the previous year’s calculation. This decrease is due to reduced childcare costs through increased subsidies and grants to families, a significant reduction in regulated electricity rates, and reduced household expenses on clothing which eases pressure on family budgets.

To read the full living wage report which includes a detailed breakdown of how the living wage is calculated, please access it through the link in our bio or visit our website: https://edmontonsocialplanning.ca/2024/11/18/edmontons-living-wage-2024/

10/22/2024

A Profile of Poverty in Edmonton seeks to answer the following questions: 

1. What does a dignified life look like in Edmonton? We aim to identify the things that give our lives meaning and are integral to well-being. This includes relationships and belonging, mental health, and sense of meaning. 

2. What does it cost to have this life? This section will dive into cost of living indicators including housing, energy, healthy and culturally relevant food, transportation, health, recreation, clothing, and personal care. 

3. What is needed to afford this life? This section will investigate indicators such as employment rates, quality of employment, incomes, and government supports, and whether or not these are sufficient to cover one’s basic needs.

 4. What supports this life? This section investigates the larger systems that can enhance or impede the ability to get a good job, afford one’s needs, and live a dignified life. This includes access to education and childcare. 

This report will illustrate the answers to these questions through 'scenarios,' including one about Maxim, to bring these numbers to life. While the individuals and families may be fictional, they reflect the real struggles faced by families in Edmonton.

10/15/2024

TOMORROW! Join Edmonton Social Planning Council in this series of free lunchtime talks about social issues and learn about diverse ways to help create a community in which all people are full and valued participants.

What: Lunch & Learn
When: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Where: Edmonton's Food Bank Annex 11434 120 Street NW
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

https://loom.ly/0CbZ8K8

10/15/2024

We've hit 1,000 followers! 🥳🤩😃

Here are some exciting and easy ways you can support our social research:

Donate! It strengthens our voice —your voice, and the voices of those who lack the opportunity to speak for themselves.

Become a member! The Council regularly solicits feedback from its members and uses these insights to guide and strengthen the organization.

Join us as a Volunteer Writer! Use your voice to make a real impact by writing research reviews, blog posts, and more.