94.5 - Review of the Role and Function of Social Programs
Whereas Statements
- The federal government has placed funding limits on social programs.
- Many provincial governments have reduced social program funding without an informed policy discussion.
- Social programs were established to ensure the health, welfare, and education of individuals.
- Cuts to social programs do not create real savings—instead, costs are transferred to provinces and municipalities.
- Further reductions in social programs could lead to more expensive remedies in the future.
- Canada has one of the widest wealth gaps among G-7 nations, second only to the United States.
- The 1993 United Nations Economic and Social Council Report raised concerns about Canada’s poor performance in poverty reduction, citing Article 10-15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
Resolved Statements
Resolved 1: The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) commends the federal government for reviewing social programs and urges the government to:
- Prevent the erosion of social programs.
- Review the function and role of social programs with provincial governments.
- Conduct widespread consultations on new social program alternatives that will strengthen Canada’s social system and ensure access to health and education for all citizens into the 21st century.