About Us
The National Council of Welfare was established as an advisory group to the Minister of National Health and Welfare by the Government Organization Act of 1969. The Council now reports to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).
Mandate
The mandate of the Council is to advise the Minister regarding any matter relating to social development that the Minister may refer to the Council for its consideration or that the Council considers appropriate.
Role
The Council advises the Minister on matters concerning poverty, the realities of low income Canadians; and related programs and policies by:
- communicating directly with the Minister;
- providing information, knowledge transfer and awareness of poverty-related issues to various stakeholders and the public; and
- providing a means for people concerned with poverty, especially low-income Canadians, to make their views known to government.
Function
The Council fulfills its mandate and achieves its objectives by:
- publishing a variety of reports and operating a website devoted to poverty and social policy issues;
- presenting submissions to groups such as parliamentary committees;
- communicating with the Minister on issues raised in reports and meetings of the Council;
- meeting with varied stakeholders to foster informed conversations about solutions to poverty; and
- responding to inquiries from researchers, members of the media and the public for reports, statistics and other information on poverty and related policy.
Issues
The Council publishes reports and communicates with the Minister on a wide range of issues. Over the years, subjects have included:
- income security programs
- child benefits
- the tax system
- income adequacy
- employment programs
- the justice system
- social services, such as child care and child welfare
- the cost of poverty
- specific populations such as children, lone-parent families and seniors
The Council and HRSDC
For program purposes, the Council operates independently of HRSDC and publishes reports under its own authority. The Council Secretariat also functions independently in carrying out its responsibilities to the Council's work, while executing administrative and financial responsibilities according to Public Service standards.