Analyzing Poverty Theories and Social Policy Implications in Canada

This essay delves into the multifaceted issue of poverty in Canada, exploring its theoretical underpinnings and implications for social policy. It begins by defining poverty and its types, differentiating between absolute and relative poverty, and highlighting the absence of an official government definition. The essay then examines various measures used by Statistics Canada to assess low-income levels and discusses the historical trends of poverty rates in Canada. It further explores the Canadian social welfare system, its liberal ideological roots, and the different policy approaches adopted, including universal social provision, social insurance, social inclusion, and social cohesion. The essay also analyzes the roles of both federal and provincial governments in combating poverty, as well as national anti-poverty programs. It contrasts the perspectives of the conservative and liberal parties on poverty, highlighting their differing views on individual responsibility versus government intervention. The essay concludes by emphasizing the persistent nature of poverty in Canada, the lack of prioritization by governmental parties, and the need for more aggressive and sustained efforts to address this critical issue, particularly in the context of Canada's standing within the OECD.

Running Head: Short Essay
Introduction
Poverty is a big problem in the whole world, because thousands of people die each year
due to this big issue. Poverty is an issue that needs to be addressed by everybody in the world,
but more specifically the Canadian government, because if Canada does not try to fix this issue
of poverty, the Canadian society would continue to suffer. The purpose of this research paper is
to try to understand what the theoretical and ideology framework is about poverty. To discuss its
implication to social policy, so we can understand the reason for why the Canadian governmental
parties have not stopped it. all the above mentioned areas of scope would properly be understood
through answering this question. What are some theories of poverty and its implication for social
policy in Canada and other members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) countries
Canadian governmental Theories of Poverty
Before delving into the theoretical understandings of poverty. I would like to define
poverty and its types. According to Dr. Kathleen, poverty is defined as “a lack of necessary
goods and services” (Kathleen, 2016, p.586). when individuals, families and communities are not
receiving the basic services required, then their quality of life would deplete and fall into the
state of poverty. As discussed in class, there are two types of poverty: absolute poverty and
relative poverty. Absolute poverty refers to the lack of means necessary to meet basic needs such
as food, clothing and shelter.). Those in underdeveloped and developing countries will
experience high probability of diseases and malnutrition. Relative poverty takes into
consideration individual social and economic status compared to the rest of society. There are
some demographics and ethnicities that suffer from this form of poverty in Canada.
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However, there is no official government definition of poverty in Canada. As per
Statistics Canada, that is the national statistical agency, poverty is referred as low level of
income for Canadians thriving in straitened situation. There are essentially three different
measures for low level of income implemented by the Statistics Canada, namely, Low Income
Cut-offs (abbreviated as LICOs), Market Basket Measure (abbreviated as MBM) along with Low
Income Measure (abbreviated as LIM). Another significant point to understanding inadequacy of
income in Canada is that diverse dimensions of poverty are associated to levels of consumption,
income levels, costs of different goods and services.
Study of trends of poverty in Canada show that for the past 25 years to 30 years the rate
of poverty founded on LICO (considering before tax) have oscillated between 15 percent and 20
percent. Likewise, rates founded on LICO (after consideration of tax) have ranged between 10
percent and 15 percent. Therefore, it can be hereby stated that poverty condition in Canada is a
continual and an enduring one.
These communities who are inflicted with this are the immigrants, single mothers,
indigenous Canadian and people with disability. Mentioned in our class discussion that there is
poverty all over the world, but it is more prevalent in some countries. How did this concept of
poverty come to existence? According to the class “poverty has existed in some form since
humans first began to organize themselves into societies” (NimoBokore, personal
communication, January 25, 2018) humans inherently like to form groups within themselves to
help control their surroundings. They also like to have power and resources to help maintain their
societal groups Canada has a concept known as the social welfare system This system was
discussed in class as a concept that “is compromised of policies and programs designed to help
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individuals, families and communities”(NimoBokore, personal communication, January 11,
2018).
This concept of social welfare system stems from the liberal ideology. Canada is
acknowledged particularly as a liberal state. Fundamentally, no nation can be considered to be an
ideal, nevertheless, the combination of policies as well as programs upholding poverty reduction
along with income security in Canada can be categorised as conservative and social democratic.
Canada Social Model can help in gaining understanding regarding the practical and at the same
time informative approach of policy development adopted in Canada. Essentially, four different
tags of policy can aid in the process of explaining the Canadian state provision for the purpose of
social welfare. The four different policies include universal policy of social provision for the
whole population, social insurance adopted to act as a shield for encouraging labour market,
policy of social inclusion by means of institution of social minimum for mitigating the influences
of marginalization. Finally, another policy includes the scheme of social cohesion for the
purpose of fostering social assimilation in societies, stressing on solution based on the place.
Combating the threats and challenges of poverty have always called for the action from
diverse segments of the Canadian society, counting families, businesses, household, communities
as well as government. However, a single sector is not expected to meet the threats of poverty. In
essence, the constitutional division of particularly powers as well as responsibilities among
Canadian governments has to a large extent formulated the federal role in the policy designed for
combating poverty. Basically, provincial as well as territorial governments in Canada have got
the constitutional responsibility to deliver both health as well as social benefits to their citizens.
In this regard, there are a number of agreements (federal, provincial as well as territorial) that are
developed for the purpose of transferring federal funds to both provinces together with
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territories. In essence, the contracts include Canada Assistance Plan and Health and Social
Transfer (CHST) among many others. National anti poverty as well as income security policies
in specifically Canada include programs namely social benefits (for instance, pension programs),
child along with family benefits and assistance (for example, Canada Child Tax Benefits), social
assistance programs, diverse employment associated advantages, regulations for minimum
wages. In addition to this, programs for delivering support for the poor counts employment
training programs, programs for economic development of community, childhood care and
support for educational support together with home as well as nurse visit.
This very system had undergone a plethora of alteration after world war l and the Great
Depression. After the second world war the social welfare state began to boom. The Canadian
government was necessarily more centralized during the war, and it remained so afterwards. In
Canada there are multiple different governmental parties. These parties are liberal, and
conservative. Although I have only mention a couple parties here, Canada has plethora of other
governmental parties. The conservative party is on the right wing of the political spectrum. They
believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty,
traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should
be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies
generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. This form of government
does not believe in providing social assistance to help support the individual. With this
conservative perspective let us take a look the issue of poverty.
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This right-wing perspective believes that poverty is an individual phenomenon. On this
view, people are in poverty because they are lazy, uneducated, ignorant, or otherwise inferior in
some manner. When new immigrants immigrate to Canada who do not understand the culture,
language and structure of this country and they are placed in low-income neighborhoods, does
this view of poverty apply to them? The liberal party believe in government action to achieve
equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and
to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. This for form of government believes
the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies
generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems. It is evident that the liberal
party more into providing social assistance, while individual develop themselves in society.
According to the current liberal government “Poverty and inequality are not just problems for
individual Canadians – all of Canada is affected. For Canadians, poverty makes it more difficult
to get and stay healthy, and more difficult to find and keep good work.”(Liberal Government of
Canada, 2018).
It is evident that the liberal party is willing to help reduce the issue of poverty, but the
conservative party just wants to blame the individual for them being in poverty. Poverty is an
issue that unfortunately is apparent is our Canadian society today. In our class discussion, we
mention that “Canada is amongst the most humane and caring on the planet”(NimoBokore,
personal communication, January 11, 2018). However, these two governmental power houses
have their own sides and agendas that they are to busy focusing on and this issue of poverty is
thrown under the rug. Policies developed and implemented, but there are still issues of Canadian
suffering from lack of attention given to them by the Canadian governmental parties. “Canada
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has the highest level of poverty amongst the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD)”(NimoBokore, personal communication, January 11, 2018).
Let us now discuss who are the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development(OECD) According to their website “The Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development’s (OECD). mission is to globally impact the economic and social welfare of
every human being through encouragement of policies” (OECD ,2018)The OECD’s core values
Objective: Our analyses and recommendations are independent and evidence-based. Open: We
encourage debate and a shared understanding of critical global issues. Bold: We dare to
challenge conventional wisdom starting with our own. Pioneering: We identify and address
emerging and long term challenges. Ethical: Our credibility is built on trust, integrity and
transparency. (OECD,2018) Their focus is to help change the lives of many human beings across
the globe by joining the countries together
PovertyImplications for social policy?
Canada is a very enriched country with a unique culture and background. Canada governs
its citizens through policy. As mention before Canada has governmental parties that help
maintain order in the country. Some of these parties we addressed early this paper were the
conservative party and liberal party. Each government has their theory on what poverty is., but
none of these political ideologies have solved the issue of poverty.The reason for this lack of
accomplishment, since these governmental parties are only in place for about four years at time
they could tackle so many issues. Poverty is nationwide issue that is not prioritized. From the
conservative government poverty is blamed on the individual lack of ability to work. On the
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other hand the liberal government provide a residual approach to the issue, but does not solve the
issue. According the global mail” social policy advocates is urging the Liberal government to be
more aggressive in tackling poverty, releasing a detailed report Tuesday with specific actions
they hope to see in the 2018 budget and the promised national poverty reduction strategy that
will follow.” (Globe and mail,2017) We can not wait for another government to fix this overdue
issue of poverty. The article continues to state”Campaign 2000 was formed in the early 1990s to
urge governments to deliver on an all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty
by the turn of the millennium. Nearly three decades later, the coalition says there are still 1.2
million children and families in poverty.”(Globe and mail,2017) It honestly feels like by not
addressing the issue, the government wants to be in poverty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, It is clear the theories of poverty from a Canadian governmental
perspective were two. The liberal government party which sees poverty, has a residual approach
to it. The conservative governmental party does not even see it as an issue but blames the
individual. Poverty implication on social policy and members of the Organization for Economic
Co-operation and development (OECD) countries is due to the short period of electoral time.
These governments are only in power for four years at time. We need to have a longer period
where political powers can make a difference with overdue issues of poverty. Poverty needs to
be on the forefront of any political party. This issue detrimental to lives of many low-income
living individuals, families and communities.
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