Game Changer: Livable Incomes
One key method of ending poverty is to create economic opportunities for those living in poverty. More than ever, we need an economy that works for everyone, one that provides access to good jobs, higher pay, business opportunities and other benefits that will help to eliminate poverty in our community.
From our work, expertise and ongoing research we understand that to create economic opportunities for all Edmontonians requires a systemic approach. Our goal is simple, to ensure that current and future economic planning and strategy is focused on eliminating poverty. We are giving particular attention to living wage, ensuring that the City and other institutions
are incorporating social procurement into their processes, and policy and planning is focused on creating economic opportunities for everyone, not just those at the top.
Contrary to t he long-standing belief that inequality serves as an incentive for work and investment that drives economic growth, data suggests that high income inequality over the long-term actually impedes economic growth
Organization and the City of Edmonton are aligning behind making sure our recovery from Covid builds an economy for all.
EndPovertyEdmonton is supporting the implementation of the City of Edmonton’s sustainable procurement policy and working with other levels of government to develop policies. We convene business, labour, social enterprises, and government to create jobs, training and apprenticeships for culturally diverse groups and procurement opportunities for local businesses and social enterprises.
The Edmonton Construction Association hosted
a webinar on social procurement moderated by Brooks Hanewich of EndPovertyEdmonton, and including Roger Lockwood, Director of Procurement in Corporate & Supply Services - City of Edmonton, Antonio Gomez-Palacio, Partner - DIALOG, Tim Coldwell, President - Chandos Construction, Brad Freeman, People Development & Engagement Coordinator
EndPovertyEdmonton convenes and supports the the Edmonton Social Procurement Collaborative, a local Workforce Development Collective and a group for Transforming Procurement in Construction.
For the past year, the Building Trades of Alberta and EndPovertyEdmonton have worked closely together to map out ways we can help lift folks out of poverty in the capital city.
One of those ways is through social procurement, which places emphasis on training and hiring local workers—including women, Indigenous and new Canadians—in the skilled trades and putting them to work in well-paying jobs in the community. Jobs with health and welfare benefits, pensionable earnings, training opportunities and much more.
The knowledge and contributions EndPovertyEdmonton have brought to the table on poverty reduction and social procurement is invaluable. Working with Brooks and his team at EndPovertyEdmonton has been a pleasure and I very much look forward to continuing our important work together to help provide opportunities and make life better for thousands of Edmontonians.
