Abstract

APPEALS – CITIZENS' RIGHTS IN A SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM

Vasant Chotai and Lynda Cantell

The right to appeal individual specific decisions made by agents of the government regarding income assistance programs for low-income citizens is universally accepted and upheld in all Canadian provinces and territories. However, the mechanisms, policies, processes and legislation vary considerably. This presentation will provide an opportunity to discuss appeal processes in place in Canada and other jurisdictions as a method of ensuring citizens’ rights are upheld in the delivery of social welfare programs.

A "peoples' perspective" on appeals was gathered during consultations of the MLA Committee to Review Alberta’s Low-Income Programs. As a result of the MLA Committee's recommendations, an extensive review of the appeal processes in place within Alberta Human Resources and Employment was conducted. This review included the basic philosophy and principles embodied in appeal processes in place in Canadian and other jurisdictions. Mechanisms for appeal, such as in-person hearing and teleconferencing, and levels of authority involved in the appeal processes were also reviewed. The information gathered from this review will be shared, as a catalyst for discussion, during this presentation.

The presentation will be conducted as a round table discussion, where participants will have an opportunity to share their experience with the appeals processes in their province or territory, and to learn from discussion of the processes in other jurisdictions. Participants will be encouraged to examine what works and doesn’t work from their perspective.

Bio

Vasant Chotai is the Manager of the Project Design Team, Program Design Branch, People Investments Division, Alberta Human Resources and Employment. He has 21 years experience in policy design of government social housing and social welfare (income support) programs. He also functioned as the policy expert for the MLA Committee to Review Alberta's Low-Income Programs.

Lynda Cantell is a Senior Program Planner with the Project Design Team, Program Design Branch, People Investments Division, Alberta Human Resources and Employment. She has 25 years experience in program delivery and design of government child welfare and social welfare (income support) programs, and aboriginal and non-government social development programs.

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