Defending Social Programs for a Stronger Canada

OTTAWA, March 27, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) today launched www.defendingsocialprograms.ca to draw attention to the Canadian Social Transfer and its potential to address Canada's growing income inequality gap with accountable investments in the social determinants of health.

The Canadian Social Transfer is the primary source of federal funding in Canada that supports provincial and territorial social programs. At present, the Canadian Social Transfer is largely an unconditional transfer which has no agreed Principles of Accountability to ensure equity of social programs across Canada.

"Since 2006, the respective provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services have not met with their federal counterparts to share best practices and develop national strategies for investments in the social determinants of health" notes CASW President, Morel Caissie. "It's now time to put Canadians first and bring all parties involved in financing and delivering social programs together with renewed our commitment to human rights as enshrined in our Constitution."

CASW is seriously concerned at the pace in which the Government of Canada is reshaping national social programs and services as well as with the unilateral renewal of the Canadian Social Transfer at 3% with no dialogue on accountability or impact.

"With the rules governing Canada's equalization program and affordable housing agreements set to expire in 2014, the provincial, territorial and federal governments must seize the opportunity to proactively address the growing income inequity gap in Canada" notes CASW President, Morel Caissie.

CASW urges all Canadians to visit www.defendingsocialprograms.ca to send a message to your elected leaders to reinstate Principles of Accountability to the Canada Social Transfer and to work towards a national plan to address all social determinants of health for a stronger Canada.

Canadian Association of Social Workers was founded in 1926 and has evolved into a national non-profit social work organization that promotes the profession of social work in Canada and advances social justice.

SOURCE: Canadian Association of Social Workers

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