The Government of Saskatchewan has named an 11-member Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction. The group of 11 was announced in Saskatoon by Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer.

“This group will be responsible for reviewing all of the work we’ve done to address poverty in Saskatchewan and identify any gaps where more work is needed,” Harpauer said.  “I look forward to seeing their recommendations this spring as we continue to make life better for all Saskatchewan people.”

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer

"I am honoured to act as a co-chair for the Advisory Group on Poverty Reduction,” Saskatoon Food Bank Director of Community Operations Alison Robertson said.  “I look forward to bringing the community voice to the conversation in development of a poverty reduction plan that makes sense for Saskatchewan.”

The members of the advisory group will consist of six representatives from the community and five representatives from various government ministries.  The members of the group are:

Ryan Meili, a Saskatoon Family Physician and Executive Director for Upstream, a partner organization on the Poverty Costs campaign that advocated for the implementation of a Poverty reduction Strategy, is one of 6 community members on the committee. “The Government’s announcement today shows a commitment to consulting the expertise of our community, and gives me reason to hope that this plan will truly contribute to a more healthy and equitable society,” says Meili.

Ryan Meili, a Saskatoon Family Physician and Executive Director for Upstream, a partner organization on the Poverty Costs campaign.

In addition to their research, the advisory group will be holding a poverty roundtable with community groups and the public and will provide their recommendations to government in May of 2015.  The group’s recommendations will help inform the development of the Saskatchewan Poverty Reduction Strategy.

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