From Welfare to Social Justice (Part 1)

From Welfare to Social Justice Compassion and Social Justice: Redesigning Social Policy for Alberta Given the realities of poverty, homelessness and increasing inequality in Alberta, it is time to re-examine and redesign our social welfare system. The neo-conservative approach of “workfare” has been a failure, according to the Alberta government’s official opposition deputy whip, Liberal MLA, Bruce Miller. He feels that what we need is a social development model based on the values of equality, justice and compassion. Numerous policy options beckon including a living wage policy, make work pay programs and tax reform, he says. As many western nations are discovering, he believes that meeting the challenge of inequality means adopting a progressive agenda of social investment. Speaker: Rev. Dr. Bruce Miller, MLA Official Opposition Deputy Whip Critic, Employment, Immigration and Industry Bruce Miller is MLA for Edmonton-Glenora and Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Employment, Immigration and Industry. Dr. Miller earned his PhD in Social Ethics from Divinity School, University of Chicago in 1984, and he has taught at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Bethel College in Kansas, and at the U of A here in Edmonton. Dr. Miller has had a long career as a minister in both Canada and the United States, most recently serving as Minister of Robertson-Wesley United Church in Edmonton. Dr. Miller has been a politically active member of the community for many years, and was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Award for community service in 2002. As MLA he continues to work on issues of social justice and quality of life in Alberta. TIME: Noon – 1:30 p.m. LOCATION: Ericksen’s Restaurant (lower level of The Keg) COST: $10.00 (includes lunch)