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March 3, 1999
Welfare-to-Work Programs in Canada:
A Discussion Paper
Several key findings and issues raised in this report, released on March 3, 1999, by the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) are found below:
Cuts in federal spending on social programs linked to the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) in the early 1990s led provincial governments to re-examine and re-tool the administration and delivery of their social assistance programs. These reforms have, in turn, led to differences in welfare programs among the provinces and territories. -
There is an increased tendency to view welfare recipients in terms of what they can contribute to the Canadian economy. Nearly all welfare-to-work programs focus on re-integrating recipients into the workforce rather than on distributing benefits.
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Generally, provinces and territories agree on the mandatory nature of work program participation. Penalties applied for non-compliance vary, but usually include a reduction of welfare benefits.
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The current range of training and employment services available to welfare recipients is more limited than in previous years. Fewer long-term support programs or educational opportunities exist than before. This is most harmful to recipients with low skill levels, poor work histories or other significant barriers to employment. However, those recipients who simply require an opportunity to work may be able to exit the welfare system more quickly than before.
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Although labour markets are calling for more specialized training, governments are moving welfare recipients to the lowest occupational rungs. As a result, a recipient's ability to retain employment in the long-term remains doubtful.
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A new emphasis on helping recipients find work has led many provinces to integrate their welfare benefits and employment services into one department. Welfare departments in Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland share office space and computer networks with federal agencies such as Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). However, welfare recipients are not always eligible for the same training that is provided to EI recipients.
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More welfare recipients than before are now classified as "employable," including single parents and youth aged 19 to 24. In Alberta, a single parent with a six-month-old child is considered employable. In British Columbia, a single parent is not considered to be employable until their youngest child reaches age 7.
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In the Northwest Territories, 30 per cent of social assistance recipients are aged 25 or younger. In response, welfare-to-work programs in this jurisdiction have developed a strong educational component.
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In almost all jurisdictions, the increased involvement of the private sector in welfare-to-work reforms usually takes the form of wage subsidies. Without subsidies, it is questionable to what extent the private sector would choose to participate in welfare-to-work programs.
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No new or revised appeals processes have emerged from welfare-to-work reforms. Neither British Columbia nor New Brunswick have an appeals process in place.
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Welfare recipients have had little input in the design of welfare-to-work programs. As a group, participants are rarely called upon to offer their own evaluations or suggestions.
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Most provinces have no special initiatives in place to address gender equity issues in welfare-to-work reforms.
Welfare-to-Work - Related Material
Canadian Council on Social Development,
309 Cooper Street, 5th Floor,
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0G5
Tel: (613) 236-8977, Fax: (613) 236-2750, Web: www.ccsd.ca, Email: council@ccsd.ca
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