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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
STAFF
The Secretariat provides research, administrative and other support
services to the Council.
Director - Laurie Kilpatrick
Researcher and Policy Advisor - Diane Richard
Analyst - Musarrat Rana
Information and Administration Officer - Louise Gunville
Administrative Assistant - Claudette Mann
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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