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EGADZ LAUNCHES MISSING YOUTH SASKATCHEWAN APP
I was pleased to join the live demonstration of the Missing Youth Saskatchewan app on behalf of my colleague, Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky. Along with everyone present, I was excited to learn more about this app that I’ve heard will help reduce the number of young people who go missing from government care – and not just in Saskatoon, but across Saskatchewan.
EGADZ has always placed a focus on listening to the young people who they work for. Then, developing programs and services based on their ideas, experiences and wisdom.
The success of their Operation Runaway risk assessment tool is a perfect example of how important youth voices are. This new app expands on that tool, and I have no doubt will be invaluable for agencies in supporting youth across the province.
Please read the news release below pledging our government's financial support to this project. It will help youth workers engage with youth and focus on reporting young people who are truly at risk, more effectively engaging police services for youth who need to be prioritized.
News Release: EGADZ is launching a new app to reduce the number of young people who are reported missing from government care. The Saskatoon Police Service and the Government of Saskatchewan joined EGDAZ for a live demonstration of the app that will be rolled out to Saskatoon agencies first and then expanded to agencies across the province in the coming months.
“I am pleased to announce we provided close to $50,000 to support the development of the Missing Youth Saskatchewan app to engage and support these youth,” Saskatoon Willowgrove MLA Ken Cheveldayoff said on behalf of Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky. “EGADZ continues to be one of the most innovative community-based organizations in all of Canada, and we are so proud to partner with them to support vulnerable youth here in Saskatoon.”
The app builds on EGADZ's Operation Runaway risk assessment tool that helps youth workers engage with and assess the youth's level of risk if they do not return to their home as scheduled. It was developed using input from the EGADZ youth committee and is informed by their lived experiences with being in care. If the app guides the worker to report the young person missing, with a click of a button the worker can then easily share all relevant information with their local police services.
"The Saskatoon Police Service has had a long and successful partnership with EGADZ in our joint efforts to address the needs of youth at risk," Saskatoon Police Service Deputy Chief Randy Huisman said. "We look forward to the digital expansion of the Operation Runaway program and the opportunity to build additional working relationships with other youth care homes."
"Not all young people who miss a check-in with their worker are at risk of harm," EGADZ Executive Director Don Meikle said. "Our youth committee was really clear that we need to engage police services for youth who need to be prioritized and report young people who are truly at risk."
EGADZ Launches Missing Youth Saskatchewan App | News and Media | Government of Saskatchewan
Today and every day throughout the year, we can all take meaningful action to create positive change.
SASKATCHEWAN SEES STRONG GROWTH IN WHOLESALE TRADE
Saskatchewan's trade strength continues to build, with the value of wholesale trade seeing an increase of 26.7 per cent between November 2021 and 2022. This is the highest increase among the provinces.
The total value of wholesale trade in November 2022 was $4.0 billion.
"Saskatchewan's economic growth has been leading the country, and these wholesale trade numbers are a key indicator of the strength in the province," Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "We are building an economy that works for the people of the province, and we are committed to increasing trade, boosting exports and strengthening international relationships."
Saskatchewan has seen growth in many economic indicators. This past week, it was announced manufacturing sales have increased by 27 per cent in November 2022 compared to November 2021, first among the provinces. Investment in building construction was also up 22.9 per cent during the same time.
Growth has also been seen in the job market. Saskatchewan has the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 4.1 per cent, well below the national average of 5.0 per cent (seasonally adjusted).
