What kind of Alberta do you want?

Message from Minister Dave Hancock

Government of Alberta

July 20, 2012

To borrow an idea from Warren Buffet, imagine you are about to be born and are offered the opportunity to determine the social policies and programs of the Alberta you will be born into. The standards and approaches you set will apply to you throughout your lifetime. However, you do not know what race or gender you will be. You do not know if you will be born rich or poor, able-bodied or with physical disabilities. You do not know if you will be highly intelligent or developmentally challenged. You do not know if you will experience family violence or a loving, nurturing home. You do not know if one day you will be homeless.

Based on those qualifiers, what kinds of social policies will you want to be in place in the Alberta you are going to grow up in? It is unlikely that any of us will live our entire lives without needing someone’s help at one time or another. We all recognize that we are not, and cannot be, invulnerable. Life offers too many opportunities to damage us emotionally, physically and financially to believe that we alone can always manage whatever it sends our way.

Children born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder or with physical or developmental disabilities will need help from birth and many will need help for their entire lives. Adult victims of accidents that result in permanent brain damage will also need help. Even those of us who are fortunate to live healthy, productive lives will often find ourselves dependent on others as we grow older.  That is why we all have a stake in the creation of social policies that are responsive, effective and illustrate a wise use of our financial resources.

It is a truism that organizations and services don’t really exist for us until we must access them. It is at that point where we, or someone we care for, will discover how effectively our social policies meet the requirements of those in need. That is why we should all be interested in being a part of drafting a social policy framework that ensures all Albertans have a real opportunity to maximize their potential and contribute to their communities.

Alberta is leading the way in developing a social policy framework. We are engaging in an unprecedented public discussion of what our social polices should look like and what their outcomes should be. This recognizes that challenges such as homelessness, poverty, early childhood development and care for the elderly are all societal issues that require a fulsome societal response. Government alone cannot, and should not, be the main driver of a discussion of social policies. Instead, government is facilitating that discussion in communities across the province.

The end result will be a common sense of purpose among social agencies, communities and individual Albertans. This is the way we will ensure that we can ensure our resources are being used in the most effective and efficient way possible. This is part of Premier Redford’s commitment to results based budgeting.

As a result of these discussions, we will have a much clearer understanding of what success looks like and that will enable us to develop programs that are geared for success. To date, almost 9,000 Albertans have engaged on the Social Policy Framework site. If you haven’t already taken part, I encourage you to do so. You can make your voice heard by going to http://socialpolicy.alberta.ca/ I look forward to hearing from you.

Read more: http://socialpolicy.alberta.ca/Blog/Message_Minister_Dave_Hancock_What_kind_Alberta_do_you_want