Social Justice
Social justice work involves anti-poverty
activism and lobbying as well as community consultation and consensus building
around key issues. It also includes
joint projects and campaigns with community partners.
RAPM frequently makes presentations to
politicians and other government representatives. We know that there are many powerful
interests which carry considerable influence in policy-making circles. The concerns of low-income people and the
issues of the anti-poverty movement must also be heard by decision makers. In the past year we have had two meetings
with the Minister of Social Services. We
have also met with senior officials of the Ministry and Saskatchewan
Housing. In 2016, RAPM was part of
presentations to two Federal Standing Committees regarding legal protections
for social and economic rights.
RAPM continues to chair the Regina
Anti-Poverty Network, which is a network of over 20 organizations dealing with
poverty issues. The Network provides a
forum for information sharing and has been active in the campaign for adequate
and affordable housing.
RAPM is active in the Disability Income
Support Coalition (DISC), which has been working with the Government of
Saskatchewan on the development of the SAID program. At present, we are represented on the DISC
Benefits Committee which is looking at adequacy measures for SAID.
RAPM played a lead role in resisting
proposed cuts to SAID, social assistance and the Saskatchewan Employment
Supplement. We also took part in the
Sask Forward consultation process which considered transformational change to
make Saskatchewan a happier, healthier and more prosperous place for all.
Over the past 19 years, RAPM has identified
key anti-poverty proposals through extensive consultation with low-income
people and community groups that deal with poverty issues. These proposals have included adequate income
security benefits, a living wage, quality and affordable housing and childcare,
equity initiatives and fair taxation. We
are presently promoting the proposal of a Saskatchewan Anti-Poverty Act which
would ensure basic social and economic rights committed to under international
law.
Each year, the Education and Proposals
Committee of our Ministry develops and presents anti-poverty proposals to
Wascana Presbytery and Saskatchewan Conference of The United Church of
Canada. We also play a leadership role
in developing and presenting the Saskatchewan Conference Brief to the
Government of Saskatchewan and the Provincial Opposition.
RAPM networks with many organizations at
the local, provincial and national levels.
Locally, this includes involvement at all levels of the church as well
as in community organizations. Bonnie
Morton is presently the President Elect of Saskatchewan Conference. At the national level, Bonnie is on the board
of the Court Challenges Program where she chairs the Equality Advisory
Committee and Poverty Sub-Committee.
Bonnie is also on the Community and Social Justice Ministries Working
Group of The United Church of Canada and the board of Canada Without Poverty.
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