Adapting to Change

Keynote speaker Dr. Charles E. Pascal, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, gave a very personal and passionate speech on the theme "Adapting to Change: Listening, Learning, Leading". Dr. Pascal find this theme in agreement with his own philosophy and the realities of today’s society. He outlined some of the pressures facing organizations and governments today: an economic recession, the emergence of a new economy, and changes which are not fiscal but structural in nature. We are, he stressed, in the midst of change which will continue for five or ten years, or even longer. In the future, society, social organization and economics, he predicts, will look quite different.

Dr. Pascal, while calling himself a "pathological optimist", described the extent of problems facing Ontarians today, particularly those who are unemployed, underemployed, on social assistance or subject to all the abuses that go with poverty and the above-mentioned changes and pressures. He chose to view these situations as "opportunities" rather than problems, requiring adaptations and change. Success will require the forging of new alliances, new values,m listening to constituents and their needs, and involving all parties in solutions.

Dr. Pascal views the relationship between the Ministry and its 7,200 transfer-payment agencies as a partnership -- "a sharing of power". He commended the Ontario March of Dimes of its proactive, innovative and accountable services, particularly its impressive brief on long term care. He recognized the importance for organizations as well as individuals to have vision, dignity and passion and to listen to self-advocates, consumers or users of service. He praised the Ontario March of Dimes for its policies and practice in this regard.

Dr. Pascal did not state that the end of the recession is near, that the solutions to all the problems have been found or that the Ministry’s implementation of cost restraint is over. No organization or programme is protected. All will continue to be challenged as to their appropriateness, responsiveness, accountability and effectiveness.