The westerner

Welcome & Guests

The meeting opened with the singing of "O Canada." President Don Edie welcomed guests as introduced by Chris Ritter.

• Jen Aitken, visiting from the Calgary Heritage Park Rotary Club
• Maggie Lam and Allan Friesen, prospective new members
• Flavio's family, visiting from Italy: his father,  Fabio, mother Angelisa, and brother, Emanuele
• Copelan Manzer from Inclusion Alberta

Scott Sword introduced Guest Speaker, Scott MacAfee

Topic: Canada's 2025 National Advisory Council on Poverty Report

Scott MacAfee, Chair of Canada's National Advisory Council on Poverty since 2019, joined virtually from Ottawa. He began his career in poverty-reduction work as a front-desk worker at Social Assistance in Fredericton, NB, in 2000, and has since worked with communities, businesses, nonprofits, and all levels of government across the country.

The Council's Mandate

1. Provide independent advice to the Federal Minister of Jobs and Families (Minister Patty Hajdu)
2. Report annually on Canada's progress toward a 50% reduction in poverty by 2030
3. Maintain an ongoing public conversation with Canadians about poverty

2025 Report: "We Can Do Better — It's Not a Safety Net If the Holes Are This Big"

Key recommendation areas presented:

1. Affordability & income support — raise incomes (via basic income, wages/benefits, or expanded income supports) to at least the official poverty line, while controlling the rising cost of essentials.
2. Access & awareness — simplify eligibility, expand auto-enrollment and automatic tax filing, and maintain in-person federal service options alongside phone/online channels.
3. Support for renters — a federal-provincial-territorial action plan to protect renters and improve access to safe, affordable housing.
4. Investment in non-market housing — Canada currently sits at about 3.8% non-market housing stock, versus an OECD average of 7.1%; the report calls for new construction and retrofitting of existing social housing.
5. Support for the nonprofit sector — shift from project-based to core funding so organizations can focus on their mission rather than continuously chasing grants.
6. Mental health & harm reduction — increased, dedicated funding (e.g., through health transfers) for low-barrier, integrated mental health and substance-use services.
7. Employment pathways — wraparound supports for people moving between benefits and work, incentives for employers to hire marginalized groups, expanded benefits for gig/self-employed workers, and skills training and credential pathways for newcomers.

Poverty Trends

Canada's poverty rate fell steadily from around 15% in 2015 to a low of 6.4% during the CERB period, but has since risen back toward pre-pandemic levels, plateauing around 11% in the most recent (2024) data. The Council's target is a 50% reduction from 2015 levels by 2030.

Q&A Highlights

• Measuring success: Responding to Kurt Schurer, progress is tracked through a StatsCan dashboard of 12 poverty indicators, anchored by the Market Basket Measure from the Canadian Income Survey. As an advisory body, the Council can recommend but not mandate action — some recommendations (e.g., 2022's) were repeated in later years when little progress was made.
• AI and job loss: Tim asked about automation displacing entry-level jobs, MacAfee noted AI's impact will likely be felt at multiple income levels, not just entry-level roles, and stressed that human connection remains essential — noting that many workers replaced by AI last year are already being rehired.
• Multi-generational/communal living: Responding to a question from Allen Friesen about supportive housing models for solo parents, MacAfee pointed to intentional communities (e.g., "12 Neighbours," a tiny-home community founded by entrepreneur Marcel LeBrun) and highlighted the health benefits of multi-generational living, along with the importance of trust-building and community-designed solutions.
• Alberta's standing: Responding to Farid’s question, Alberta had the second-lowest poverty rate in Canada in 2024, behind Quebec, though jurisdictional gaps between federal and provincial programs remain a challenge.
• Universal basic income/services: MacAfee expressed cautious optimism that Canada is moving toward a model where those with more support those with less, while acknowledging there's no clear consensus yet on the best mechanism.

Thank You

President Don recognized MacAfee's presentation with a donation to ShelterBox, the international emergency disaster relief organization, as is tradition for guest speakers.

Club Announcements

• Inclusion Alberta update: Copelan shared the July newsletter and celebrated a client's 12-year work anniversary — a strong example of the program's long-term impact. She also announced she'll be leaving her role in late August/September to pursue a master's degree; a new coordinator will take over the partnership with the club – introduction at a subsequent meeting.
• Bingo fundraiser: Last month's bingo our club netted $92 for the host — a modest but positive result given recent events at Century Casino/Five Star have run losses of $400–$1,200. Overhead is shared across all participating clubs' events, which affected the payout. Because of the shared pooled income, we average about $1800.00 -$2000.00 for proceeds to our club for each opportunity.
• Fruit Sale: Gord reminded everyone of the online BC fruit sale that also features a variety of freestone peach that resists browning, good for freezing and baking. Members can buy individual or larger sharing-size boxes; proceeds support club initiatives, with a food bank donation option available too. See our website and forward to family, friends and colleagues. Pre-order by August 1^st.
• Blue Flame : Running again this Friday.
• Cruise through Kananaskis: Chris asked for participants - outing is planned for Thursday morning — contact the organizer if interested.
• Casino fundraiser — August 23–24: This is the club's biggest fundraiser of the year. Daytime volunteer shifts are filled, but a few night-shift spots remain. Members were encouraged to sign up to support the club and enjoy the fellowship.
• President Don reminded that this year's club theme is: "Engagement" — members were reminded to get involved in fundraisers and weekly meeting tasks.
• The meeting concluded with the Four Way Test song.

Drew Turnbull

Reporter