Chapter 2

Question 1

What is Social Welfare?

Answer 1

There is no single and universally agreed upon definition

As a concept, social welfare refers to society’s vision of well-being, health, happiness and prosperity-in-other words, a society that see itself as a faring well

Question 2

What does Social Welfare involve?

Answer 2

As a field or discipline, social welfare involves the study and implementation of strategies designed to:

• Alleviate human suffering
• Prevent social problems
• improve quality of life for disadvantaged groups

Question 3

What is social work most closely associated with?

Answer 3

Social welfare

Question 4

Social Welfare System: what does the twofold person consist of?

Answer 4

Twofold purpose:

(i) Identify human needs
(ii) Meet human needs

Question 5

Interplay of Two Components

Answer 5

A woman subjected to violence may need
Social services: counselling, emergency shelter
Income security: child support or income support

Question 6

What does Income Security refer to? and who is it for?

Answer 6

Refers to re-distribution of income or income supplementation.

It is for all Canadians; and not just for people with low-income or people living in poverty.

Question 7

Why is Income Security created?

Answer 7

To meet the needs of people who can not sufficiently provide for themselves
To create greater socio-economic equity.
To create equal access to resources and opportunities
For collective well-being

Question 8

Social Insurance

Answer 8

People contribute to insurance plans with the understanding that not everyone will avail the benefits.
Examples:
Employment Insurance (EI)
Worker’s Compensation (WSIB coverage)
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)

Question 9

Minimum Income

Answer 9

Provide financial assistance to people with no source of income.
Target people living in poverty.
Example
Social Assistance (i.e., Welfare or Workfare)

Question 10

Demogrants

Answer 10

Involve flat-rate payments to individuals or families on the basis of demographic characteristics.

Question 11

Income Supplementation

Answer 11

Supplement the income that is obtained elsewhere; whether through paid employment or through other income security programs.
Example:
National Child Benefit Supplement
Old Age Security

Question 12

Tax System

Answer 12

Tax breaks or tax credits
Education and tuition credits for students
Forego collection of taxes
Tax deduction for RRSP
Income or benefits are taxed differently
Not part of income security programs, but protect income of Canadians

Question 13

Employment Policies

Answer 13

Labour standards
Minimum Wages
Employment Equity Legislation
Pay Equity Legislation
Not part of income security programs, but affect the income of Canadians

Question 14

How is Canada doing?

Answer 14

Poverty
Canada does not have an official poverty line.
Statistics Canada
Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO)
Low Income Measures (LIM)
Market Basket Measure (MBM)

Question 15

Poverty

Answer 15

Nearly one in six children lives below LICO (Statistics Canada, 2006).
In 2008, there were over 700 food banks in Canada.
In 2008-2009, during recession there was 20% increase in the number of Ontarians using food banks each month.
Almost 40% of food banks report that they often run out food.

Question 16

Poverty in Ontario

Answer 16

Worst among:
Aboriginal peoples
Racialized families
Immigrants
People with disability
Single parent household

Question 17

Poverty among Students

Answer 17

Rising tuition rates, unemployment and housing instability are faced by post-secondary students in Ontario.
Increasing debt-load among students.
In 2012, Ontario Tuition Grant was introduced
Excludes two-thirds of mature, college, international, and parents pursuing part-time studies.

Question 18

What does living in Poverty do?

Answer 18

Living in poverty compromises:
Health and well-being
Quality and standard of living
Educational attainment
Utilization of skills and talent
Employment prospects
Sense of security and hope
Value of life