youth ACTion project

on Poverty

Recommendations submitted to the Mayors Task Force on Poverty

#yapyeg #endpovertyyeg
March 11, 2016

Youth Action Project 2016

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Background
In response to the Mayors Task Force on Poverty, over the past two years the John
Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights has brought together a team of young
Edmontonians to provide direct input into #endpovertyyeg. With three out of ten
Edmontonians living in poverty being children, we felt it was essential that in the process of
creating a plan for the City of Edmonton, the voice of children and youth needed to be
included.
In 2014, the Youth Action Project presented four hard-hitting recommendations to the Task
Force. The youth and the John Humphrey Centre have worked hard to keep movement
going on these recommendations and we are proud to be back this year to share the
evolving work of this young dynamic group of Edmontonians.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, child participation
is essential and youth should be involved in the decisions that affect their lives. Over the
past six months, these young Edmontonians have spent time engaging with advocates and
service providers in debate and dialogue on the issue of poverty.
Using a human rights based approach, poverty in this project has been viewed through four
key pillars; all core elements to living a life of well-being and to ones full potential:

Justice

Security

Freedom

Dignity

The following recommendations are a result of the work among these young
Edmontonians; a group of diverse youth and many experiencing poverty themselves.

We would like to humbly thank the Government of Canada Urban Partnerships Program,
City of Edmonton, Telus Community Foundation and the Edmonton Golden Gate Lions for
their support to this initiative since it started. Your support has helped to transform lives.

Youth Action Project 2016

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Recommendation One:

CRIMINALIZATION
When we describe who is a criminal it is the equivalent of taking a close up lens of what
we perceive other people to be and then limiting them to this sphere. When we are this
narrow, we cannot see the influencing factors that have formed this perception.
Mistrust of police and law enforcement is a key factor when looking at issues of safety and
security for those struggling with poverty. Police and front line providers need to be trained
and aware of criminalization and its negative impact on individuals and communities already
facing barriers.

Proposed Action(s):
Support the implementation of the Criminalization Simulation developed in partnership with
iHuman Youth Society and the John Humphrey Centre. We ask that the City make a
commitment that every member of Edmonton Police Services participate in the program as
an element of training. Secondly, we ask that the City advocate for the program through
professional networks in Edmonton and beyond.

Lead Responsibility and Partners :

City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Service, iHuman Youth Society, John Humphrey
Centre for Peace and Human Rights, Edmonton Community Foundation

Issues Being Addressed or Rationale:

Interactions between law enforcement and marginalized populations are often fraught with
tension and can lead to safety and security issues for these individuals as well as the wider
public. The simulation, composed from true stories of criminalization, would provide insight
into how negative stereotypes influence police-citizen interaction; how police might
communicate more effectively with vulnerable persons; and, how empathy and
understanding can play a positive role in enforcing safety in our community. Championing
this simulation and committing to all officers receiving it would be a step towards Edmonton
becoming a human rights city.
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Population Groups Impacted or Will Benefit from This Action:

Low-income individuals, Youth, Indigenous Peoples, Newcomers, People living with
disability, Police, Policy Makers, Greater Edmonton Community.

Implementation Approach, Steps or Suggestions:

Support a partnership between the John Humphrey Centre, iHuman Youth Society and
EPS to implement this program as mandatory training for all officers thus assisting with
program implementation across all levels of Municipal bylaw and enforcement officers.

Resources Needed:
Political commitment to have all EPS staff take the Criminalization Simulation, funding to
support the program. Initial funds have been provided from the Edmonton Community
Foundation.

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Recommendation Two:

EXCLUSION
It is not enough to simply label a space, structure or institution as inclusive. There must
be an active engagement with inclusivity to ensure it is continuing to meet the needs of the
community. Otherwise, exclusion can be said to stem from ignorance in otherwise wellmeaning practices.
Real inclusion hinges on marginalized groups having a voice at policy making tables,
committees and working groups. Participation in decision-making that directly affects
ones community is a necessary part of inclusion, agency and dignity. In addition, providing
gift card incentives, child care options and other supports would greatly improve
accessibility and diverse representation from excluded communities.

Proposed Action(s):
Reform the structure of City committees to accurately represent populations impacted by
the decision-making process and provide meaningful incentives and supports that aim to
make participation accessible to a wide range of community members in meaningful ways
that put excluded groups in positions of influence and leadership.

Lead Responsibility and Partners:

City of Edmonton

Issues Being Addressed or Rationale:

In accordance with Edmontons aspiring classification as a human rights city, the City
must actively uphold peoples right to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. The
City has stated that community involvement is an essential poverty prevention measure,
which can be achieved by identifying stakeholders in each committee dialogue and
screening potential committee members accordingly. Given that marginalized and lower
income communities are less likely to join committees voluntarily, there must be greater
incentives and supports provided in order to effectively engage these communities, creating
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safe spaces where excluded groups and individuals can help shape policies that directly
affect them.

Population Groups Impacted or Will Benefit From This Action:

Low-income individuals, Youth, Indigenous Peoples, Newcomers, People living with
disability and otherwise vulnerable people, women, policy makers, committee members.

Implementation Approach, Steps or Suggestions:

Prior to the formation of City committees, a particular lens must be utilized in the
screening process of committee members to ensure the communities most affected by the
topic area are represented and offered positions of leadership. To ensure meaningful
representation, committee openings should be directly advertised to communities with a
stake in the conversation, in a manner that clearly states the incentives or supports for
participation. Incentives and supports might include grocery cards, free child care, braille or
translation services.

Resources Needed:
Political commitment to reform the Citys committee structure, supports and incentives to
foster true inclusion.

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Recommendation Three:

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND VIOLENCE

Many women who were or are sexually exploited face overwhelming poverty. Even with
government assistance and paid employment, income disparity means that these women
have much less than the average family for their household budget.

Proposed Action(s):
We recommend the City work with the Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Movement
and other grassroots Indigenous organizations to bring greater visibility and community-led
action to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous women and girls in the area of
sexual exploitation and violence. As an important first step, we recommend the City move
the Okisikow (Angel Way) sign from its current alley way location to a more prominent one
on the corner of 97st and 101 A avenue. We believe this will be a powerful first step in
honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women while supporting awareness and
visibility of this pressing Canadian issue.

Lead Responsibility and Partners:

City of Edmonton, Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Movement, Artist Gloria
Neapetung.

Issues Being Addressed or Rationale:

While Indigenous Canadians make up 4 per cent of the population, a study in 2014 found
they account for about half the victims of trafficking Public Safety Canada calls them the
countrys population most vulnerable to exploitation. Moving the Angel Way sign a highly
visible location will demonstrate the City of Edmontons commitment to recognizing this
serious issue and working with those greatly impacted to address sexual exploitation and
violence in our community.
In addition, The City of Edmontons 2005 Urban Aboriginal Accord Declaration called on
The City to strengthen relationships with urban Indigenous peoples, acknowledging that
Indigenous peoples experience greater social and economic disparity and that, ...the[se]
imbalances call for the active involvement of Aboriginal people in identifying the issues and
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priorities and in developing partnerships and well-supported plans of action to achieve

needed change. Actively seeking input and direction from The Stolen Sisters and Brothers
Awareness Movement and other Indigenous Organizations/Individuals to develop an
awareness and education strategy is in line with the principles outlined in the Urban
Aboriginal Accord Declaration, the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action
and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Again, another
commitment as a human rights city.

Population Groups Impacted or Will Benefit From This Action:

All Edmontonians, with particular emphasis on Indigenous women and girls as well as other
vulnerable groups subject to sexual exploitation, violence and subsequent marginalization
including women, persons living with disability, newcomers, LGTBQ community.

Implementation Approach, Steps or Suggestions:

Work with Artist Gloria Neapetung and Stolen Sisters and Brothers Awareness Movement
to determine a more appropriate and visible location for Okisikow (Angel Way) sign and
move it there. Strengthen relationships with Indigenous individuals and organizations by
providing opportunities for community members to voice concerns and solutions to
effectively address vulnerability to sexual exploitation and violence. Collaborate with
individuals and agencies working with survivors, family members and impacted
communities to develop strategies to bring visibility to these issues.

Resources Needed:
Funding to support community-led initiatives and events that are flexible and allow for
individuals or grassroots groups to access. Physical, safe spaces made available in order
to engage community members.

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Recommendation Four:

MENTAL HEALTH
Mental illness does not follow a 9-5 schedule
Currently, Mental Health Crisis cannot be accessed after 6pm except by phone which does
not address the serious needs of those impacted by mental illness. For many, the only
available options available when an individual experiences mental health crisis are calling
EPS which is often traumatizing for the individual. It is an inappropriate response that
further criminalizes mental illness, while also placing an unfair burden on police who should
not be expected to do the work of mental health professionals. The majority of services
and supports for those experiencing mental health issues close at 6 pm. Mental health
crises dont run on a clock.The Mental Health Crisis team should start its hours to
compensate for the high need for services after 6 pm.

Proposed Action(s):
Alter the Mental Health Crisis Team response hours to extend past 6 pm.

Lead Responsibility and Partners:

Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, City of Edmonton

Issues Being Addressed or Rationale:

The Mental Health Crisis Response Team operates a crisis line 24/7 to assist those
suffering from a mental health crisis, alongside outreach support from the Police and Crisis
Team (PACT). However, this response care is largely concentrated in the daytime hours
leaving those in crisis to either call emergency or leave a message. In accordance with the
likelihood that mental health crises occur outside of the current timeframe, it is imperative
that the City respond to the needs of the individuals accessing this service. It is also
important to take the burden off of the Edmonton Police Service as well as make a
commitment to preventing suicide.

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Population Groups Impacted or Will Benefit From This Action:

Individuals and families of experiencing a mental health crisis, low-income individuals, those
struggling with trauma and/or addictions, Edmonton Police Service, Mental Health workers

Implementation Approach, Steps or Suggestions:

We recommend the City conduct a formal investigation of the practices of the Mental
Health Crisis Response Team and the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) to inquire about its
reception by those experiencing a mental health crisis after 6pm. The findings of this
investigation should be presented to City Council, The Edmonton Police Commission,
Alberta Health Services in order to formally alter response hours and meet the crisis needs
of the community.

Resources Needed:
Political commitment to investigate the current usage of the Mental Health Crisis Response
Team and the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) in Edmonton and a subsequent commitment
to support altering the mobile response hours of the Mental Health Crisis Response Team.

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The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and

Human Rights is an organization
committed to advancing the principles
enshrined in the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
and other international documents,
through education, dialogue and change.
Named after John Peters Humphrey, a
Canadian lawyer and principal drafter of
the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Centre believes that education
in human rights has an immense power to
transform.
On its foundation rest the
cornerstones of freedom, democracy
and sustainable development. (Kofi
Annan)

www.jhcentre.org
2015/2016 Board of Directors
Joan Cowling, President
Robert Gardner, Vice President and Treasurer
Norm McLeod, Secretary
Ranya El-Sharkawi
Jill Flaman
Salma Lakhani
Raffath Sayeed
Roxanne Ulanicki
Lou Yaniw

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