DEFINING OUR FUTURE: PUBLIC POLICY AND DESIRED DIRECTIONS PRESENTATION TO THE CENTRE FOR INCLUSION AND CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP ON FUTURE TRENDS VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY FEBRUARY 25TH 2013 MICHAEL J. PRINCE

MY REMARKS TODAY Discuss what public policy is and why it is important in addressing barriers and in advancing citizenship and inclusion Recognize five core elements of policy that we need to focus on in defining our future Note some features of the public policy and political context in BC Suggest some policy opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the disability community 2

WHAT IS PUBLIC POLICY? Courses of action or inactions by public authorities Made by governments: federal, provincial, municipal, Aboriginal And made by public sector agencies in education, health, housing, social services Existing policies may act as enablers or barriers The absence of policy can also have positive or negative consequences 3

THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC POLICY Determines programs and services that affect the material living conditions of individuals, families, groups Contributes to the formation of identities of people as dependent or deserving or not Shapes relationships between people in terms of inclusion/exclusion, or respect/stigma Structures clientele as a potential basis for political awareness, debate, and action 4

CORE ELEMENTS OF POLICY People: citizens, officials, neighbourhoods, communities Purposes: a position, goals, objectives, intentions, promises, claims, hopes, expectations, commitments Procedures: ways and means of designing, delivering programs and laws Products: income benefits, services, supports, rights and responsibilities, words and symbols Power: roles of authority, ideas of legitimacy, and relations of advocacy and influence 5

PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICAL CONTEXTS Deficit reduction agendas for province and federal government: General funding for school districts frozen for three years Income assistance rates for people with disabilities not raised for several years nor are they indexed to cost of living No real increase in supports for children and youth with special needs and their families Continued absence of provincial legislation on the inclusion rights of all persons with disabilities No independent provincial advocate for adults with developmental disabilities Environmental and indigenous issues at forefront of public agenda 6

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRENDS A growing population in the province An ever diversifying population An aging population too, including of caregivers and workers, increasing pressures on Community Living too Labour shortages in various sectors of the mainstream workforce over next several years Growing economic inequalities Persistent poverty, limited employment opportunities, financial insecurity 7

POLICY OPPORTUNITIES Working with the BC Representative for Children and Youth on her extended mandate May 2013: BC general election – Raising awareness about the UN Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities ratified in 2010 Renewing focus on employment programs for adults with disabilities Modernizing income support benefits and system Embedding community living in a comprehensive economic and social inclusion strategy for the province 8

YOUR COMMENTS, IDEAS.... Thank you! Michael J. Prince Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy University of Victoria 9