MEIA and Legal Advocates Dialogue on Social Assistance Issues: March, 2007

Legal Advocates from across the province and MEIA staff, including headquarters staff and Community Relations and Service Quality Managers from all of the regions, met as a group for the first time to discuss social assistance issues. The overall purpose of the day was to start the process of MEIA staff and legal advocates working collaboratively to improve service delivery for clients. Other outcomes included identifying common goals, acknowledging power imbalances, committing to an action plan with clear next steps, and creating mechanisms for ongoing dialogue at the community level.

"This was the first dialogue of its kind between MEIA and legal advocates and understandably there was apprehension from participants as to whether this would work and whether we could move beyond positions to meaningful communication and collaboration. Your careful planning, facilitation and conflict resolution expertise helped us create an environment of respectful yet open and honest communication. At the same time, you were able to focus us to see beyond our differences, identify common goals and commit to concrete actions to get there. Since that first step a year ago, we have continued our dialogue at the local, regional and provincial level and our list of accomplishments through collaboration, notably our improvements in services to our mutual clients, continues to grow."

Mariann Burka, Executive Director, Social Policy Branch