Abstracts & Bios Session F 7 Concurrent Sessions Saturday June 18, 2005 10:15 - 11:45 F1. Paper presentations The culture of charity: Modernization and the harnessing of the interior world Colin Bonnycastle Abstract Western welfare states have slowly drifted towards a ‘culture of charity’ as a basic tenant of their modernizing social policy. In doing so, they have entered a new era of governance; one that locates (relocates) social problems much closer to the interior world of individuals. After providing a conceptual understanding and historical association, this paper explores charity’s contemporary discursive construction under the larger hegemonic project of neo-conservatism. Using discourse theory as the analytical tool, it is argued that, by interpreting and laying bare the subjective patterns of thinking behind the culture of charity, space for alternative visions and practices can emerge. The paper concludes with a call for open dialogue with the poor in order to counter the new derivative of a culture of charity – that of social capital. Biography Colin Bonnycastle is Assistant Professor and Director of the Faculty of Social Work at Thompson, University of Manitoba. His current research interests are male violence, religion’s role in social policy, and the emerging patterns of third sector development in Canadian society. Decommodification and third sector in Canada and Sweden: A typology attempt Sébastien Chartrand, Yves Vaillancourt Abstract In light of the European legacy and the US legacy in the understanding of third sectors, there are similarities between national third sectors in Europe and provincial sectors in Canada. We define 4 models to understand the configuration state - third sector in the field of social services and their respective contribution to the process of decommodification (Esping-Andersen, 1990): 1) The US Model (Ontario, Alberta) : low decommodification, weak third sector, residual welfare state, market-oriented approach. 2) The NPD Model (Saskatchewan): medium decommodification, moderate third sector contribution, medium welfare state. 3) The Neo-corporatist Model (Québec, Belgium, France) : medium decommodification, strong third sector contribution, strong welfare state. 4) The Social Democratic Model (Sweden) : Very strong state-generated decommodification, weak third sector, very strong public approach. Biographies Sébastien Chartrand, M.A. Sociology, McGill University, 1996, Ph.D. Sociology, Stockholm University (Sweden), 2004. Guest researcher, 2001-2002, Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) (Germany). Now post-doc, Université du Québec à Montréal, projects: National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations and Social Economy, Health and Welfare, Third Sector, in Quebec and Saskatchewan. Yves Vaillancourt est professeur à l’École de travail social de l’Université du Québec à Montréal. Il détient un doctorat en sciences politiques. Il est spécialisé dans le champ des politiques sociales. Il est directeur du Laboratoire de recherche sur les pratiques et les politiques sociales (LAREPPS) créé en 1992. Il est coresponsable du chantier « Services aux personnes » dans l’ARUC en économie sociale. Il est membre du Centre de recherche sur les innovations sociales (CRISES). Using relationship-based mediation as away of promoting effective social welfare policy Stephen Pidwysocky Abstract Mediation is an expanding field in a variety of arenas, including public, legal and criminal justice at the level of theory and practice. For example, in law, mediation is often seen as an alternative to court-based litigation. Yet, as the field continues to grow, there is new territory to be explored. One area open for mediation is in social policy practice. Evidence abounds of tension between the intent of a social policy and the actual practice of that policy. This paper will present and argue in support of a new theory and mediation practice for social policy practice, in an effort to address these tensions. Incorporating relationship-based mediation into social welfare policy practice, and perhaps development, could foster stronger connections between those who write social policy and those who experience social policy. Biography Stephen Pidwysocky is a doctoral candidate in the Conflict Analysis and Resolution Programme at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He teaches for the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Prior to this, he worked as a community-based voluntary service worker in the area of restorative justice with the Mennonite Central Committee. F2. Paper presentations Neighbourhood-based social policy Ian Skelton, Cheryl Selig, Lawrence Deane Abstract Winnipeg’s inner city neighbourhood development initiative is a unique collaboration between nonprofits and government. The program addresses not only the shelter needs of low income residents, but a comprehensive range of social and economic needs within a neighbourhood spatial context. The initiative has significant resources from three levels government. Funding is available for capacity building, economic development, physical amenities, and employment and social well-being. Housing is funded through a separate and larger program. The provincial government and many of the nonprofits adhere to 11 principles of community economic development. The initiative has begun to show significant, measurable results. Impacts on residents vary considerably by neighbourhood, reflecting different processes of implementation and different orientations to CED. In general, results include a rise of local housing values, perceived safer environments, improved local employment, reduced street gang activity, and strengthened social support networks. Some of these are key determinants of health. Biographies Ian Skelton, PhD, MCIP is a Professor in the Department of City Planning, University of Manitoba. His research examines processes of low-cost housing provision and community development, and his teaching focuses on housing, planning theory and methods. Cheryl Selig, BA, is a graduate student in the Department of City planning, University of Manitoba. Her thesis in an examination of community economic development in low-cost housing provision in Winnipeg. Lawrence Deane, Ph.D, MSW is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba. He teaches in the Inner City Social Work program. His areas of research are social policy, housing, community development, and culturally-based development among urban Aboriginal people. From community run to community based: Retooling the social economy in Quebec Michael Orsisni Abstract Profound changes are under way in a number of Canadian cities in the field of health and social services. Decentralization, public-private partnerships are some of the buzzwords that characterize the changing role of the welfare state in the age of neoliberalism. What is less understood, however, is the impact some of these sweeping structural changes are having on the ground in local communities. This paper uses the case study of Point Saint Charles, a vibrant Montreal neighbourhood recognized for its rich and varied history of community activism,, to examine the features of this new relationship between the state and civil society actors. Using a series of interviews with leaders of community organizations and with users of services, we explore how the role and character of community organizations is being redefined in this neighbourhood, and ask whether these changes are particular to Quebec, with its distinct social economy tradition, or whether we can make any generalizations about this case for how we understand the impact of welfare state changes on civil society. Biography Michael Orsini is Assistant Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, and a Senior Research Associate with Carleton University's Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development. He is also Principal Investigator of a research grant, “From Silence to Voice: A Qualitative Glimpse into the Lives of People with Hepatitis C,” which is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Révision de la politique sociale au Mexique: 1989-2002 proposition à partir d’une politique locale Freddy Marinez Navarro Abstract Ce travail constitue un essai pour aborder les problèmes principaux qui font parti des politiques sociales au Mexique. Les objectifs de l´article sont les suivants: premièrement, réviser les linéaments et l´approche de la politique sociale au Mexique dès 1989 jusqu´au 2002, et deuxièmement, proposer une vision de politique sociale dans le contexte local et basée sur quatre capitaux : le capital social, le capital humain, le capital productif et le capital environnemental (des services environnementaux). Finalement, on propose une approche basée sur le développement local et la participation des citoyens fondés sur la connaissance. C´est à dire, comment les sociétés, le gouvernement, les universités, les entreprises et la société civile collaborent entre eux- même pour engendrer des produits, des services et des processus de haute valeur à travers la connaissance à seule fin que se pousse le développement intégral et durable. Biography Freddy Marinez Navarro est Ph.D en Sociologie de l´Université Laval. Actuellement il est professeur de la Escuela de Graduados en Administración Pública y Política Pública (EGAP) du Tecnológico de Monterrey. Les courses que Marinez Navarro donne sont: Gouvernement et société civile, mondialisation et relationes intersocietales, Sociologie et Science Po. Son champ académique est le Développement social, la Théorie sociale et politique, l´Analyse politique et l´Amérique latine. Monsieur Marinez Navarro a publi les livres suivants: “Desarrollo, Bienestar y Sociedad. La globalización y lo social”, septembre, 2000; “Ciencia Política: nuevos contextos, nuevos desafíos”, octubre, 2002; “Análisis político y estrategia de actores. Una visión prospectiva”, août, 2004. F3. Paper presentations Dissolving disparate destitution in Canada: Forging fundamental socio-economic solutions Corrine Elizabeth Skarstedt Abstract A considerable percentage of Canadians continue to experience deep and persistent poverty. In theory, Canada is legally obligated to honour its international treaty commitments vis-à-vis the safeguarding of fundamental human rights. In reality, however, Canadian courts have failed to provide substantive effect to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (hereinafter the ICESCR). To what extent do Canada’s international economic human rights obligations influence judicial interpretation of the Charter and the scope of domestic human rights protection? While the application of the ICESCR in domestic law has the potential to achieve justice for the marginalized, it is fraught with inchoate discrepancies within the Canadian judiciary system. How might policymakers, practitioners and citizens en masse strengthen the implementation of economic and social rights, including the right to social inclusion and the recognition of poverty as a violation of human rights? In discerning whether legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks can be forged in Canada, select case law from other parts of the world will be assessed accordingly. Biography Corinne Elizabeth Skarstedt (M.A. Candidate, Legal Studies, Carleton University; B.A. [Hons.], Carleton University; B.A. History, Concordia University) is engaged in research pertaining to economic human rights issues in Canada. Corinne is a volunteer Board Member of Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR), a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. She is also keenly engaged with various (inter)national institutions. Beyond “spouse in the house”: New Brunswick’s “economic unit” policy and welfare reform Wendy Johnston Abstract This presentation will examine the origins and evolution of New Brunswick’s “economic unit” policy that limits eligibility for social assistance. Broader in scope than the “spouse in the house” rule applied in some other Canadian jurisdictions, the economic unit policy extends financial support obligations to virtually all adults sharing the same address. Many needy New Brunswickers see their assistance refused, reduced or cancelled when they share accommodation with relatives, friends or roommates. Women and lone mothers, among the poorest of the poor, are disproportionately affected. A series of exemptions introduced over the years have done little to modify the largely isolating and counterproductive effects of the policy. What are the options for change? Reform strategies used by social justice groups in New Brunswick and elsewhere in Canada will be evaluated, including public awareness campaigns and legal challenges. This important social policy issue will be explored from the perspective of an equality-seeking agency involved in public education and advising government. Biography Wendy Johnston is Policy and Liaison Officer for the N.B. Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Her work includes research, policy analysis and public education activities on a wide range of gender equality issues. The human right to adequate food: seeking domestic compliance with Canada’s international obligations Graham Riches Abstract This paper examines the reality of hunger in Canada and what to do about it in light of Canada's international obligations to 'respect, protect and fulfill' the human right to adequate food. It explores how the right to food, and particularly the justiciability of that right, might inform social policy and the achievement of food security for all. It examines the disconnect between widespread domestic food insecurity and Canada's ratification of the right to food in international conventions (e.g., ICESCR,[1976]; CRC,1992]; the failure of the judiciary to recognize the justiciability of the right to food in recent cases (e.g.,Gosselin, 2002) in the context of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and the significance of food citizenship and food democracy as the foundation for a coherent national and ‘joined-up’ food policy directed at the optimal nourishment of the population (MacRae, 1999). The implications of the newly approved UN Voluntary Guidelines (2004) directed at the realization of the right to food in the context of national food security, and the significant roles to be played by the state, the judiciary and civil society will be considered. Biography Graham Riches is a Professor and Director, UBC School of Social Work and Family Studies who has researched and written extensively about food security, human rights and social welfare since the mid 1980s. Hs most recent publication (co-authored) is Right to Food Case Study: Canada (UNFAO, 2004) prepared as an invited contribution to the UN consultations leading to the Voluntary Guidelines (re: the Right to Food). F4 Paper presentations Saint John: How bad was/is it? Problematizing the city 1961-2001 Greg Marquis Abstract Since its professionalization in the early 20th-century, social work has searched for and attempted to ameliorate various ‘social problems.’ Early social work, social science and social policy tended to focus on urban Canada. For much of the 20th century, Saint John, NB suffered a bad press in terms of poverty, housing, education levels, the environment, social conditions, and cultural life. Elements of its population were studied as examples of social pathology. This paper examines Saint John social indicators as noted in the Censuses of 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001. The Saint John Census Metropolitan Area will be compared to (1) Canada’s other CMAs and (2) the rest of New Brunswick, in order to determine the region’s relative level of social and economic problems. Biography Greg Marquis teaches Canadian and criminal justice history at UNBSJ. He has published 2 books and a number of journal articles and book chapters. At present he is working on 20th-century alcohol policy in Canada. He is also a member of the CURA research team studying Saint John as an industrial city in transition. Diversifying the workforce: partnership is strength Sylvia Sparks, Jocelyn Stevens Abstract The face and diversity of New Brunswick is changing due to the increasing numbers of immigrants from abroad, however the consistent issue that arises is the need to retain these newcomers. Many immigrant groups including visible minorities leave New Brunswick in search of employment in larger urban areas because of the lack of employment opportunities available to them within New Brunswick. The struggle that exists is the lack of inclusion within work arenas and the need to address building more equitable, accommodating and welcoming workplaces so that our economy can continue to grow and thrive. New Brunswick workplaces need to reflect the diversity within Canadian society and most importantly the changing demographics. Employers of prospective immigrant and visible minority groups need to evaluate identify and recognize the contributions, skills and knowledge that these groups can bring to the fabric of New Brunswick society. Through a proposed workshop, PRUDE Inc will address and share some practical approaches to help alleviate, and eliminate ethnic / systemic discrimination within New Brunswick workplaces to make them more equitable for all employees. Biographies Sylvia Sparks is the Executive Director of PRUDE Inc. (Pride of Race, Unity, and Dignity through Education). PRUDE Inc. is a visible minority non-profit organization whose work is focused in the areas of employment, education, social welfare and economic development of the multicultural community of Saint John. Jocelyn Stevens is a public education and community awareness coordinator. Her most recent project for the year 2004 through 2005, is in the area of Capacity Building, in which she is responsible for the recruitment and assembly of a new Executive Board that will assist Saint John in it’s goal to assist and retain immigrants. She is also a current committee member for Enterprise Saint John’s Immigration Strategy team and is actively involved in Youth leadership projects, particularly in the Visible Minority community. Urban change in Saint John, New Brunswick, 1971-2001 Robert MacKinnon Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the changing demographic and economic base of the Saint John Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) over a thirty year period in an effort to document the evolving character of New Brunswick's largest urban region, to situate these local circumstances more clearly in a broader regional and national context, and to better understand the scale of urban and economic change experienced by the citizens of the several municipalities located in this region. It is agued that an industrial-post-industrial transition is underway in Saint John, and that economic, social and revitalization strategies developed here may provide more appropriate models for other small and medium-size Canadian cities than those designed in larger CMA's. Biography Robert MacKinnon teaches Geography at UNB Saint John where he is also the Dean of Arts. His research interests include: the historical geography of agriculture in Atlantic Canada, transportation history, and urban geography. He has contributed to regional and national journals and publications including: National Geographic Magazine, Acadiensis, Canadian Historical Review, Western Geography, and The Historical Atlas of Canada. He is co-director of a CURA project entitled: “The Industrial City in Transition: A Cultural and Environmental Inventory of Greater Saint John”, funded by SSHRC. La “Démarche-action Montréal-Nord”: un example d’articulation entre les politiques régionales et les interventions locales en développement social André Bergeron Abstract Des intervenants des secteurs public et communautaire souhaitaient explorer une approche novatrice visant à développer des interventions intégrées dans des quartiers de Montréal où se concentrent de multiples facteurs de pauvreté . Le but de l’intervention était de : mettre en œuvre une stratégie de concertation interministérielle au niveau régional afin de soutenir des projets locaux visant l'amélioration des conditions de vie des personnes démunies. Plus spécifiquement, on visait à « mettre de l'avant de nouvelles manières de faire, à établir de nouvelles solidarités entre les acteurs institutionnels locaux et régionaux, les intervenants sociaux et la communauté ». Nous présentons dans cette communication une intervention qui se déroule dans un arrondissement de Montréal, son fonctionnement et ses processus, ainsi que des résultats, et nous tentons de répondre à la question suivante : « cette façon de faire change-t-elle les pratiques des acteurs et améliore-t-elle la situation des personnes ciblées? ». Biography Baccalauréat en service social et maîtrise en administration publique. Agent de planification en santé publique depuis 1980. Responsable de la liaison avec le réseau municipal. Dossiers principaux abordés: Aînés, Villes en santé, Sécurité urbaine, Développement social. Projets en cours : revitalisation urbaine et social à Montréal F5. Workshop Symbiotic relationships in online development: The journey of the Canadian Review of Social Policy Thaddeus Hwong, Gilles Séguin, Peter Wray Abstract The World Wide Web has evolved into a new frontier for public policy organizations. In the past two years, Canadian Review of Social Policy has undergone an online transformation, launching its new web site at www.yorku.ca/crsp in 2004. The project is a case study of the benefits of building symbiotic relationships for social policy educational organizations in negotiating with the new and often harsher realities of the welfare state. Mapping the journey of Canadian Review of Social Policy, Thaddeus Hwong plans to examine online opportunities for social policy organizations and the value of virtual collaboration and pro bono services in pursuing such opportunities. Gilles Séguin will discuss the challenges and rewards of creating online social research resources, based on his consulting work for the Canadian Review of Social Policy and his seven-year pro bono work on the Canadian Social Research Links website and the related weekly newsletter. Peter Wray plans to examine design challenges, management challenges and funding options in navigating the course of online development for Canadian Review of Social Policy and other social policy web projects. Biographies Thaddeus Hwong is the convener of the online working group of Canadian Review of Social Policy. A PhD candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, he conducts computer-assisted quantitative analyses on law and public policy. He holds a LLB from Osgoode, MSc in journalism from Columbia University and a BA in economics from York. Gilles Séguin has three decades of experience as a social researcher of provincial-territorial welfare programs. After his retirement from the government in the fall of 2003, he started working on his Canadian Social Research Links at http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ and the related weekly social research newsletter on a full-time basis. He holds a BA in English Literature from University of Ottawa. Peter Wray has been developing and managing social policy web sites for the Government of Canada. In his spare time, he runs www.InterPresence.ca and develops and manages web sites for both profit and non-profit organizations. He holds a MSW from Carleton University and a BSW from Ryerson University. F6. Roundtable Who really knows what in social policy? Fred Sadori,,Tony Martin MP, Richard Shillington, Sherrie Tingley Abstract An invited panel of three diverse players in social policy will explore partnerships, communications and the relationship between various policy stakeholders through the profiling and discussion around three innovative initiatives; The People’s Parliament on Poverty, the Community Undertaking Social Policy project and the Ontario Pay the Rent and Feed the Kids Campaign. The roundtable will discuss: The knowledge shared, and the knowledge recipients of each initiative Unintended impacts and lasting changes The various players in social policy Who really knows what in social policy A proposed framework for responsive and equitable social policy development The insights from novel initiatives such as these can support the development of a framework for responsive and equitable policy development. Biographies Richard Shillington has post-graduate degrees in statistics from the University of Waterloo. He has been engaged in the quantitative analysis of health, social and economic policy for the past 30 years. His research has covered several policy fields; health manpower planning, program evaluation, income security, poverty, tax policy and human rights. He has worked for several provincial and federal departments as well as commissions studying the economy, unemployment insurance, human rights and tax policy. Richard appears regularly before committees of the House of Commons and the Senate. He also provides commentaries regularly for television, radio and newspapers on issues of taxation, human rights and social policy. Fred Sadori has worked as a front-line worker in such areas as addictions, mental health, community organizing and housing. Fred has worked in a research capacity on several local and provincial projects. Presently, Fred is working for the Canada Employment and Immigration Union as a National Union Representative. Fred is also a student in the combined Ph.D. program in Social Work offered at McGill University and l’Université de Montréal. Fred applies a structural approach based on his integration of front-line, policy and research work combining this approach with his life experiences that include; having lived on welfare, having been homeless, having experienced a personal battle with addiction and having experienced conflict with the law. Tony Martin was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1960. He attended Laurentian University and graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1974. Tony served for 13 years as MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. Tony initiated the “ People’s Parliament of Poverty” forums in Ontario. Out of that he launched a campaign to “Stop the Clawback” of the Federal Child Tax Benefit Supplement, called for an inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers and challenged the government to implement the resulting recommendations. As well Tony introduced a Private Members’ Bill to index the Ontario Disability Program to the cost-of-living. His energy and passion on these issues is unrelenting. Tony is presently the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sault-Sainte Marie riding and is the NDP’s social policy critic. Sherrie Tingley is a long-time human rights, housing and anti-poverty activist. She has worked in the areas of poverty, women's issues, human rights and housing with groups such as the National Association of Women and the Law, The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation, The Canadian Auto Workers Community Development Group, Povnet, The Workfare Watch Project, The Georgian Bay Coalition for Social Justice and the Barrie Action Committee for Women. Sherrie has worked on many social justice campaigns including the Pay the Rent AND Feed the Kids Campaign. Sherrie is an Ontario Board member of the Canadian Council for Social Development and is also a member of the Task Force on Modernizing Income Security for Working Age-Adults. In addition to her involvement in social justice, she has spent time as a single mother, spent time on welfare, spent time as a mother without housing and has faced eviction and homelessness.