November 12, 1996
(Social Services)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Social Policy Advisory Committee:

Penny Rowe, chair of the Social Policy Advisory Committee, said today she encourages individuals and groups in the St. John's area to take part in tonight's People's Forum, which has been organized by the Community Alliance for Better Solutions, with financial assistance from the Social Policy Advisory Committee.

"We were approached several weeks ago by individuals representing a number of umbrella groups which have come together under the community alliance with a request to help fund their People's Forum," said Ms. Rowe. "We responded very quickly that we would assist them. A variety of meetings have been arranged in other communities and with other groups and we were pleased to assist the community alliance in St. John's."

Ms. Rowe said the Value Statement under which the committee has carried out its work over the past eight weeks, while describing the kinds of public and arranged meetings the committee would hold, also states four major objectives of the committee:

• - that the committee will strive for a process which is respectful, sensitive, and non-intimidating;

  - that the committee will strive for a process which encourages the participation of the individuals, groups, agencies, and communities;

  - that the committee will strive for an open, flexible, accessible consultation process;

  - that the committee will try to recognize and respect culture, gender, social, economic, and educational differences in shaping a consultation process which fosters the participation of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds; and

  - that the committee will strive to foster a safe environment in its consultations in which all individuals and groups are welcomed and their experiences respected.

The commitee has held public meetings, private drop-in sessions, meetings with government employees, and arranged meetings with various community groups in more than 20 communities throughout the province and will hold similar meetings in six more commuinities before the public dialogue process ends November 25. At each of these meetings, the committee's goal is to generate dialogue, discussion, vision, and partnerships. The committee has already received in excess of 220 written submissions, letters, briefs and comments and met with hundreds of individuals and group representatives. As well, the committee has established the 1-800-814-5611 line to receive comments and an e-mail address for those with access to the Internet. The e-mail address is SSPAC@porthole.entnet.nf.ca

"We have heard an array of suggestions, which we believe will strengthen this province," said Ms. Rowe. "People have been involved and have had considerable input into this process. This public dialogue process will be accountable to the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"There is a great deal of concern across the province, there is no doubt of that," said Ms. Rowe. "People are frustrated, angry and some have been extremely hurt by the down-turn in the economy. We have heard those messages; but we have also heard messages of hope - that the people want to be involved in the strengthening of social policy, social development and the social and economic well-being in this province. And I believe that the work of this committee will be a catalyst in shaping social programs that will be suited to the future needs of the people of this province.

"We are pleased with the initiative taken by the Community Alliance for Better Solutions," said Ms. Rowe, "and we are looking forward to receiving the comments and results of their meeting. Several committee members will attend the St. John's meeting, while other committee members, including myself, will be in Carbonear for the meeting the committee had scheduled at the start of the process with groups and individuals from the Conception Bay North area."

Contact: Doug Scott, (709) 729-2646.