June 19, 1996
(Executive Council)

Release of Strategic Social Plan Consultation Paper

Government delivered today on a commitment of fundamental importance to the province. Premier Brian Tobin, along with Social Services Minister Joan Marie Aylward, released a 77-page Strategic Social Plan Consultation Paper which he said is the beginning of the process of evaluating our social policies and programs and deciding on the future direction of social development in Newfoundland and Labrador. "In combination with the province's Strategic Economic Plan released in 1992, the Strategic Social Plan will constitute an overall policy framework for the economic and social development and well being of our province well into the 21st century," said the premier.

The Strategic Social Plan consultation process will consider the accessibility, fairness and affordability of such services as health care, education, justice and social services. It will help Newfoundlanders and Labradorians assess their needs and priorities for the future, and assist government in deciding how we should share the responsibility for maintaining our social system.

Government established a Strategic Social Planning Committee of senior officials to review all government social programs and policies. This committee studied emerging social trends in this province and developed the public consultation paper.

"The next step," said the premier, "is to hear from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Good social policy is everyone's responsibility and the plan will affect everyone who lives in this province. I encourage everyone to get involved."

Public consultations will be completed early this fall. These consultations will allow the public to express their views and make recommendations to the Social Policy Advisory Committee which is independent of government. The committee, chaired by Penelope Rowe, will be made up of representatives from a wide range of interest groups and organizations from different regions of the province. The ideas and views of all who participate in the public consultation process will be considered in the writing of the Strategic Social Plan to be released early in 1997.

Ms. Aylward said: "If an adequate level of services is to be maintained in a time of fiscal restraint, the approach to social policy and program development must be altered. Whether in education, social services, health care or the voluntary sector, the emphasis has to shift from expansion to streamlining delivery systems. The allocation of limited financial resources will require new methods and innovative approaches if they are to be distributed wisely."

"The process of economic and social change is exerting enormous pressures on our way of life. The consequences of these changes for our future must be recognized and programs redesigned," she added. "One thing is clear from all the changes, challenges and financial realities: we will have to choose new ways of doing things and we will have to do them better."

"This strategic social planning process is an important and challenging undertaking and it presents the opportunity to consider ways in which government, the public and different sectors can work together to shape the future of our province," said Penelope Rowe, chair of the Social Policy Advisory Committee. "It is my intent as chair of the Social Policy Advisory Committee to ensure that the consultation process provides ample opportunity for everyone to consider future directions for social policy in Newfoundland."

Information on the consultation process may be accessed in a number of ways:

• By writing to the Social Policy Advisory Committee at:
  P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF A1B 4J6
  
• Telephoning toll-free 1-800-814-5611 or (709) 729-2646
  
• Faxing (709) 738-2469
  
• Emailing sspac@porthole.entnet.nf.ca
  
• Accessing the World Wide Web site:
  www.gov.nl.ca/ssp.htm
  

The Consultation Paper is also available in alternate formats, including braille, audio cassette and computer diskette.

Contact: Karen McCarthy, (709) 729-0110.