FRHD 1020 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Unemployment Insurance Act 1920, Old Age Security, Social Safety Net

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Family Relations and Human Development
• Course: FRHD 1020
• Professor: Olga Sutherland

Document Summary

Poverty is defined almost entirely in terms of income. Financial levels alone do not accurately reflect the ability of some people to manage better than others the money available to them. 1) an absolute measure identifies the minimum basic requirements necessary for physical survival (diet that sustains life, clothing that protects from elements, appropriate shelter) 2)another approach considers poverty a relative concept based on social well-being in addition to physical survival statistics canada low-income cut-offs use this type of definition. In the early years of european settlement in canada, the poor depended almost entirely on their families or on other private individuals for help. Public assistance provided by local governments or charities on an emergency basis only (grocery hampers, second-hand clothing, vouchers for fuel). Homeless elderly people kept in local jails on charges of vagrancy because there was no other place for them. 1867 social programs were primarily the responsibility of provincial and local governments.