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:
/ssp.htm
The Consultation Paper is also available in alternate formats,
including braille, audio cassette and computer diskette.
Contact: Karen McCarthy, (709) 729-0110.
96 96 19 " 11:45 a.m.