Government and Social Welfare

What do we mean by social welfare? Who gets it and who deserves it? How has the meaning of social welfare changed over time and how has it developed in Canada and internationally? How do electoral politics, political ideologies and economic change shape governmental approaches to social welfare provision? This course poses and seeks to answer these and other questions. It introduces learners to the historical and contemporary dynamics and social welfare provision
in Canada, the objectives and goals of social policies, and the various effects on the everyday lives of Canadians. We will trace the evolution of social welfare nests in Canada and other advanced Western countries that have included the provision of social insurance (unemployment, health, old age security), benefits (family/children benefits, pensions, social assistance, social housing), tax credits/deductions (e.g., retirement, education, childcare), the use of court-mandated settlements (e.g., child protection). Throughout the course, students are expected to explore and understand these topics and issues according to relevant theory, research and practice linkages.