October 1st. 2014

Dear Premier Prentice:

Letter of Support for ’s Poverty Reduction Strategy:

In 2011, there were approximately 304,000 Albertans living in poverty, including 84,000 children. Every single community in Alberta is affected by this issue. The economic costs of poverty in Alberta, are between 7.1 and 9.5 billion dollars each year. It is estimated that poverty prevention measures could save our province 1.2 billion dollars each year in costs related to health care alone.

Almost 3 years ago, the provincial government committed to developing a Poverty Reduction Strategy to address this important issue. This was welcomed and supported by those dealing with the local impacts of poverty. This strategy is desperately needed in Alberta. Of the 84,000 children currently experiencing poverty, 25% are expected to remain in poverty for their lifetime. The problem will continue to grow if we fail to implement preventative solutions.

We understand the target for completion of a draft provincial strategy is the end of this year. We, as a group, would like to express our unified support for the continued development and implementation of a poverty reduction strategy for Alberta. We are committed to working closely with this government to ensure that the progress that has been made toward poverty reduction is not lost, but built upon.

Alberta is a prosperous province, filled with opportunities. We have the financial and human resources to determine the best preventative measures, and therefore no Albertan should find themselves caught in the “poverty trap.” Systemic changes at all levels could help ensure this doesn’t happen.

The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information to aid you in your efforts to support continued work toward the development of a Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy. We would be pleased to have any opportunity to connect with you further on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us regarding this most important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Joe Ceci, Coordinator, Action to End Poverty in Alberta Franco Savoia, Director, Vibrant Communities Calgary Luanne Whitmarsh,Chief Executive Officer, Kerby Centre, Calgary Heather Evasiuk, Manager, Neighbourhood and Community Development, Regional Municipality of Wood-Buffalo Brett Drewry, Director, Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS Margaret Holliston, Executive Director, Camrose and District FCSS Loraine Berry, Director of FCSS & Social Planning, City of Spruce Grove Debbie Posey, Team Leader, FCSS Town of Okotoks Kathleen Waxer, Jasper FCSS Wendy Theodore, Community Liaison, Vulcan & Region FCSS Donna Brock, Director, City of Leduc FCSS Susan MacDonald, Executive Director, Lacombe and District FCSS Jean Bell, Senior Community Developer, Strathcona County Angie O'Connor, Coordinator, Fort Macleod and District FCSS MaryAnne Vandervalk, Board Chair, on behalf of Fort Macleod and District FCSS Board of Directors Deputy Mayor Trish Hoskin, on behalf of the Town of Fort Macleod Varley Weisman, Manager of Social Development, City of Medicine Hat Trina Bohn, Director, Swan Hills FCSS Linda Mueller, Barrhead FCSS Susan Morrissey, Executive Director, Social Planning Council Amanda Ens, Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance Danielle Fermin, Community Resource Centre Coordinator, Town of Chestermere Lola Strand, Program Coordinator, Drayton Valley and District FCSS Scott Rodda, FCSS Director, City of St. Albert Judy Smith, Edmonton FCSS Sharlyn White, Executive Director, FCSSAA Jeff Carlson, President, FCSSAA

CC: Human Services Minister ; Seniors Minister Jeff Johnson; David Morhart, Deputy Minister of Human Services; Ernie Hui, Deputy Minister for Seniors; , Associate Minister of Persons with Disabilities; , Associate Minister of Aboriginal Relations; Lora Pillipow, Assistant Deputy Minister of Human Services, Policy and Community Engagement Divison; Leann Wagner, Executive Director of Strategic Policy Initiatives; Members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.