Module 4 Flashcards
Historical foundations: from early settlement period to the mid 1970’s
Canada’s social welfare system -
- policies and programs have been introduced and revised at different times
- in response to various human needs and problems/ depending on public demand, political and economic climate and government priorities
Residual Approach
predominated early settlement years
Institutional approach
gained popularity in CAN after the effects of the great depression
1 The Early Phase (colonial times to confederation)
- characterized by self sufficiency
- minimal gov. involvement in peoples lives/well-being
- asking for charity was discouraged
- taking a residual approach
Social Welfare in New France
valued work and self sufficiency but// also welcomed various forms of support
Belief that gov. is responsible for its citizens–> funding education, health and other services (Quebec)
ETC
more at beginning of week ch.3 and 4 notes
QB city’s general hospital and the congregation of Notre Dame
offered skill training to settlers who had trouble finding/ creating work
French had little tolerance for…
begging
1674 France Passed…
A Royal Decree Prohibiting Begging by able bodied persons in Montreal
1676
Montreal banned vagrants and beggars from the city (UNLESS they had special permission from the priest)
If not.. then banished the vagrants and beggars
The British conquered New France in 1759
soon after the social welfare supports est. by the French government. disintegrated
The Quebec Act- Britain passed in 1774
Roman Catholic Church took role of provision of social welfare
The # of French Charities largely staffed by volunteers grew during the ____Century.
19th
The Protestant Work Ethic
View of poverty as a sign of a sinful life
“people must work in this world to be saved in the next”
Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century
Europe brought the belief that success at work/ profits and wealth/ was Gods Grace
Help from the British Protestants
followed with “how to regain gods grace”
with thrift, hard work, self help, and self discipline
The English Poor Laws
The British Parliamentary acts—> collectively called the English Poor Laws
Meant to deal with poverty in England but influenced how their people viewed the poor and treated them
The English poor laws were first passed in….
1601
Newbrunswick and Nova Scotia enacted poor laws in…
NB- 1786
NS- 1763
Newfoundland and PEI rejected gov. intervention for the poor including….
poor law legislation
urged people to depend on friends and family
Public Relief
was an early form of social assistance or welfare
outdoor relief
Cash and other direct assistance
sporadic and meagre
indoor relief
workhouses and poorhouses
workhouses= for able bodied, unemployed adults, people paid their keep through labor
poorhouses= for elderly, orphans
BUT// Only those facing starvation would seek help from either
Insane Asylums
orphanages for the care of immigrant mothers and children widowed from the voyage from Europe
Residual
benefits only in case of extreme emergency
18th century
fines for people failing to care for their own family members
1920 Mothers Allowance
1927 Old Age Pension
1944 Family allowances
caused large institutions for people to live in to dwindle
1867 BNA (British North America Act) passage
United New Brunswick and Nova Scotia
Ontario and Quebec into the dominion of CAN
-divided legislative responsibilities between the fed. and reg. govs
Province responsibilities became: hospitals, asylums, charities and alms giving institutions
Giving Fed. gov a minor role in the health and welfare of CAN’s
2 THE TRANSITIONAL PHASE - confederation to WWII
characterized by CAN’s rapid changing social welfare needs
family based labor——> to an economy based on wage labor
MEN became primary $ earners, women and children became their dependents
Gov.s still defended residual approach
SHIFT towards a more helpful gov @ the end of this phase
Industrialization and its related problems developed:
an increase in social conciousness and a feeling of mutual responsibility for fellow human beings
Social Movements
related to: labor reform, child welfare and women’s rights
took root during this period
Social Reformers
(Activists) called attention to:
the inability of families, charities and local gov.s to meet the needs of modern industrial society
pressuring gov.s to take a more active role in social and economic lives of its citizens
During the TRANSITIONAL PHASE
- a growing interest in social democracy developed
- a right to minimum levels of health and well-being
- & equitable access to services
The Labor Movement & Workers Compensation
Long hours for low pay
1870’s trade unions became a powerful political force
They drew attention to all the workplace accidents/ pressuring the gov. to change
Canada’s First Comprehensive and Compulsory Plan Was:
The Ontario’s Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1914
(CANADA’S FIRST SOCIAL INSURANCE PROGRAM)
Most advance piece of legislation of it’s time
THE ACT STARTED- a National Workers Compensation Movement
by 1920 every province except PEI had similar legislation
Improving condtitions for women and children…
- as industrialization accelerated families became more economically insecure
- if male breadwinner failed the female would have to pull the weight
- divorce was becoming more common—> causing women to leave children to work
New problems that created social change
The Child Welfare Movement
gained momentum in the late 19th century
John Joseph Kelso —-> wrote report that lead to public outcry
LEADING TO…
the passage of the 1893 Act for the prevention of cruelty to/ and better protection of children