Canada Social Transfer and the Social Determinants of Health

OTTAWA, March 15, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) today issued a paper that investigates the implications behind a lack of transparency and accountability in delivery and receipt of the Canada Social Transfer (CST).

Entitled the Canada Social Transfer and the Social Determinants of Health, the paper provides an in-depth exploration of income security funding at the national, provincial, and local level. Income support programs were chosen to highlight as they are closely linked to all the other Social Determinants of Health and are explicitly covered by the CST.

"Income inequality is highly associated with the health of a nation" states CASW President, Morel Caissie. "Consequently, accountability to the CST has great potential to positively impact the overall health and well-being of Canadians if applied equitably."

Many opportunities exist for strengthening accountability and improving Canada's performance on the Social Determinants of Health. Adequate and accountable social programming is important to people living in Canada, and remains part of Canadian identity.

"Yet the gaps, inconsistencies, and lack of accountability identified in this paper indicate a lack of commitment on the part of the federal, provincial and territorial governments to realizing equality and human rights for all people in Canada" states Caissie.

The nine recommendations of this paper focus on making the CST accountable to Canadians.

Individuals and organizations can take action in educating Canadians about the current lack of accountability in social service programming, lobbying for change, and joining CASW in this movement towards accountability.

SOURCE: Canadian Association of Social Workers

Fred Phelps, Executive Director
Canadian Association of Social Workers
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]