Strategic Social Plan funding to be continued

Budget 2001 provides $2 million to continue implementation of the province�s Strategic Social Plan, now in its third year. This amount matches the funding of the previous years, and brings the total investment in the implementation of the Strategic Social Plan to $6 million.

"The Strategic Social Plan is government�s commitment to addressing the social challenges and meeting the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Premier Roger Grimes. "The plan is also key in forging the essential link between social and economic development and provides a framework for incorporating community needs and priorities in social and economic programs affecting our communities and citizens. The plan, which is unique in Canada, places the province at the forefront in social development in Canada.

"The Strategic Social Plan grew out of province-wide consultations with the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a vision for the province developed by its citizens. The vision is of �a healthy, educated, distinctive, self-reliant and prosperous people living in vibrant, supportive communities within sustainable regions.�"

The plan focuses on improving the long-term opportunities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by better linking social and economic development and by better coordinating service delivery at the local level. This focus requires changes both within government and also in the way service delivery agencies work together. Ultimately, the plan provides an opportunity for a regional voice in the development of government policy through the plan�s six regional steering committees, which are now active.

"The Strategic Social Plan brings together key partners in six regions on regional steering committees to identify and focus on long-term regional development priorities and issues - and their resolution," said lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan, Gerald Smith. "The partners on the six regional steering committees include regional boards of health, education (including post-secondary institutions), community services and economic development as well as representatives from the three levels of government - municipal, provincial and federal.

"I am also pleased that within government - as is called for in the plan - the same collaborative approach is taking place as departments place greater importance on working together to ensure that their plans and programs support one another. Departments are also making significant strides in their efforts to consult and work collaboratively with service delivery groups in the community."

Another aspect of the Strategic Social Plan is the Social Audit which will be publicly released in 2003 and, like the Strategic Social Plan, is an unique initiative in Canada by any government.

"The Social Audit will assess government�s success in implementing the Strategic Social Plan," noted Minister Smith. "It will measure how well the province has achieved its goals and objectives in terms of the overall health and well-being of the people. It will also report on whether key government programs have positive effects on the lives of the people they serve and suggest ways to improve the effectiveness of those programs."

Media contact: Mary MacNab, Strategic Social Plan, (709) 729-0175.

2001 03 22             3:30 p.m.