.png){kind=icon}
Recommended Readings
Erkulwater, Jennifer. 2006. Disability Rights and the American Social Safety Net. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Erkulwater describes some of the successes made in developing social welfare policies for people with disabilities in the United States. She examines the disability rights movement, disability benefits, and disability programs that have enabled the severely disabled to work and become less dependent on welfare.
Klassen, Thomas. 2014. Retirement in Canada (Issues in Canada). Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press. Klassen discusses the retirement-related changes that are taking place in Canada, as well as what we can predict about the future state of retirement. This book covers topics such as income security for older Canadians, how pensions will change in the coming years, as well as the debate about compulsory retirement.
Little, Bruce. 2008. Fixing the Future: How Canada’s Usually Fractious Governments Worked Together to Rescue the Canada Pension Plan. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press. This book follows the development of the Canada Pension Plan, from the huge deficits faced in 1993 to its present state. Little discusses how the pension policy has succeeded in overcoming the large governmental deficits of the past as well as the reforms that have occurred. He interviews over 50 politicians, government officials, and other people who have worked closely with the reforms.
Tolley, Erin and Robert Young. 2011. Immigrant Settlement Policy in Canadian Municipalities (Fields of Governance: Policy Making in Canadian Municipalities). Montreal, QC: McGill-Queens University Press. This book examines the policies, programs, and services for Canadian immigrants. Tolley and Young recommend methods to address the challenges related to governmental co-operation, delivery of services for immigrants, and overall immigrant well-being. As well, this book reveals some of the gaps and problems in the system and what governments are doing to aid immigrants’ integration.
Vlasic, Pamela. 2008. The Lives Behind the Numbers: Understanding the Disproportionate Representation of Indigenous Women in the Canadian Legal System. Riga, Latvia: VDM Verlag Dr Müller Publishing. This book examines why Canadian Indigenous women are overrepresented in the legal system compared with non-Indigenous women. To better explain this social problem, Vlasic interviewed social services professionals and women who encounter trouble with the law.
Recommended Websites
Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS)
ALS is dedicated to strengthening the ability of Indigenous communities and its citizens in dealing with the legal system as well as providing culturally suitable legal alternatives. They approach issues of justice in an assertive, helpful, and respectable manner. The organization also helps youth and adult Indigenous Peoples learn about their rights and offers various programs and aids in connecting people with other services that may be useful.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)
www.ccdonline.ca/en/socialpolicy/actionplan/accessible-canada
The CCD is an organization for people with disabilities and aims to make Canada inclusive and accessible. They strive to increase disability-related supports, reduce poverty, and increase employment opportunities for the disabled. They also promote human rights and ensure the elements of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is carried out. This is done through law reforms, litigation, educating the public, as well as communicating with key decision makers.
Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario is a not-for-profit organization that runs the legal aid program of Ontario. They seek to provide quality legal services in an efficient and cost-effective manner to low-income Canadians. This website includes information that can aid people in locating legal help, resources for lawyers, as well as up-to-date publications and resources.
Ontario Ministry of Education
www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/paying.html
This website provides information about the variety of services available for parents who are seeking help in paying for childcare. It covers information about the Child Care Subsidy, Ontario Child Benefit, Universal Child Care Benefit, and Canada Child Tax Benefit.
Service Canada
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/benefit/index.shtml
This website provides information about the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit as well as information about the application process, eligibility requirements, and types of benefits and services available.
Youth Employment Services (YES)
YES is an organization that seeks to help kids and encourage their empowerment, which is key to a safe and healthy community. YES provides innovative programs that help disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to become independent and contributing citizens. This website provides aid to youth looking for employment, various publications, as well as resources for employers looking to hire employees.