ABOUT THE COUNCIL
MANDATE
The Government Organization Act of 1969 established the National Council of Welfare as an advisory group to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. Since the reorganization of federal government departments in 1993, the Council advises the Minister of Human Resources Development. The mandate of the Council is to advise the Minister in respect of any matters relating to social welfare that the Minister may refer to the Council for its consideration or that the Council considers appropriate.
ROLE
The Council advises the Minister on the needs and problems of low-income Canadians and on social and related programs and policies which affect their welfare by
- communicating directly with the Minister
- informing and influencing public opinion through widely-disseminated reports
- providing a vehicle through which people concerned with the problems of low-income Canadians can make their views known to government.
FUNCTIONS
The Council fulfils its mandate and achieves its objectives by:
- publishing several reports each year on poverty and social policy issues
- presenting submissions to groups such as Parliamentary Committees and Royal Commissions
- meeting with Cabinet Ministers to discuss current policy issues affecting low-income Canadians
- communicating in writing with the Minister of Human Resources Development of Canada on social policy issues raised in reports and meetings of the Council and
- responding to inquiries from researchers, members of the media and the public for reports, data, statistics and other information on poverty and social policy.
THE COUNCIL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
For program purposes, the Council operates outside the Department of Human Resources Development Canada. The Council publishes its reports under its own authority, not that of the Department. The Secretariat functions independently of the Department in discharging its program responsibilities to the Council. The Secretariat executes its administrative and financial responsibilities in the same manner, under the same constraints, and according to the same standards as any other unit of the Department.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Council consists of members drawn from across Canada and appointed by the Governor-in-Council. All are private citizens and serve in their personal capacities rather than as representatives of organizations or agencies.
Members of the National Council of Welfare
John MurphyArmand Brun
Chairperson |
|
Canning, Nova Scotia |
Vice-Chairperson |
|
Shediac, New Brunswick |
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Shaunna Reid |
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland |
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Olive Crane |
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island |
|
Marilyn Peers |
Halifax, Nova Scotia |
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Doris Bernard |
Radisson, Quebec |
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Miriam Green |
Montreal, Quebec |
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Dana Howe |
Windsor, Ontario |
|
Abdi Ulusso |
Toronto, Ontario |
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David Northcott |
Winnipeg, Manitoba |
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Allyce Herle |
Regina, Saskatchewan |
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Alice Hanson |
Edmonton, Alberta |
|
Anne Gill |
Hay River, Northwest Territories |
STAFF
The Secretariat provides research, administrative and other support services to the Council.
Director?-?Joanne Roulston
Senior Researcher and Policy Advisor?-?Cathy Oikawa
Information Officer?-?Nancy Scott
Administrative Assistant?-?Louise Gunville
ISSUES
The Council publishes reports and communicates with the Minister on a wide range of issues involving poverty and social policy. Over the years, subjects have included:
- poverty lines and statistics
- income security programs and policies
- child benefits
- the tax system
- the retirement income system
- employment programs
- social services, such as child care and child welfare
- legal services
- community economic development
- medicare
- women and children
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