Vancouver and Toronto are two of Canada's most populous and progressive cities. Vancouver, a city in Ontario, has a population of 2.4 million people, more than half of whom speak English, and is well-known among tourists and immigrants. Toronto, on the other hand, is a metropolis in British Columbia with a population of 2.81 million, making it Canada's most populous and modern city.
Shared Social Services History
One thing that both cities have in common is their origins and relationship with Canadian Social Services.The agricultural era in Canada during the 19th century saw autonomy in the way social services was dealt with in rural areas like Ontario where people helped each other with their social issues as neighbors would. Even today, such king of communal interaction is still integrated in the social services structure particularly in tourist drawer Vancouver. The onset of the industrial industry brought a change with the creation of laws like the British North American Act of 1867 that gave the provincial government authority when it comes to social welfare and established social welfare programs such as the old age pension, mother’s allowance, workman’s compensation and veteran’s pensions (McGilly, 1998).
The era of Great Depression gave rise to relief programs and philanthropy by the rich, the increasing unemployment rate triggered a huge demand for legislative change. As a result, the Family Act of 1944 was passed but because the government was too focused on the Second World War in terms of funding, it paved the way for an increased dissatisfaction for the social programs amidst rising poverty. The Canada Assistance Plan came about amidst protect of dissatisfaction and rising poverty. The policy expanded the social assistance program. Canada likewise went through a neo conservative style of politics which let to social welfare changes like reductions to unemployment insurance and caps on the Canada Assistance Plan funding. By the 1990s the government experienced leadership crises that affected social welfare and assistance. Today, the economic climate is the one of the main indicators of the social welfare programs’ funding. Although communities started as self-sustaining entities the need for funding, assistance and regulation has made communities more heterogeneous in showing varied groups in terms of culture, economic status and age. People, families and groups are expected by the Canadian government to help the needy.
Similar Perspectives on Social Issues
Another similarity between Vancouver and Toronto in terms of Social Welfare and Assistance is the way they perceive social problems which affects how they participate in social assistance programs. Residents of Vancouver and Toronto perceive social issues as both a condition and a behavioral pattern which has detrimental effects on their societies. They also perceive social issues as the differences between ideals and accomplishments. Examples of these ideals are equality, freedom and progress; while these ideals’ equivalent reality or achievements are poverty, racial discrimination, and hate crimes. Thus the provincial governments of these cities make sure that its policy makers and service providers that perceptions regarding social issues are aligned with ideals. To achieve expected outcomes, power is needed amidst scarce resources, unequal rights and uneven distribution of power.
The Vancouver and Toronto governments have structured their social welfare and assistance programs according to four perspectives of sociology: functionalist, feminist conflict, inter-actionist and feminist. It is the basis from which social service workers respond to the needs of the individuals or groups in need of social service (Careles, 2006).
Structure of Services for Functionalist Social Issues
Functionalist Perspective assumes that social issues happen when institutions do not perform their specified functions because of dysfunction or other consequences. For example, a school which is an institution expected to prepare students and hone their skills to be ready for future employment, fails to do this job. The failure of the school to do its function affects the economy because enterprises have to spend more on training of their unprepared employees thus affecting cost of their goods. Dysfunction in institutions triggers disorganization in society.
Vancouver has varied programs aimed at community building that foster interaction and inclusion. Although this service is aimed at all its citizens, Vancouver is particularly protective of its senior citizens, women and youth. All levels of Vancouver’s government provide varied programs and amenities to keep them active, involved and actively using the health services that are essential for health. Most of Vancouver’s senior population has meager incomes so the swelling cost of health care has given them meager access to direct and indirect social services. One of these programs is the Age-friendly action plan which is a series of initiatives that the city of Vancouver undertakes to foster safety, engagement and inclusion among its seniors.
The Age-friendly Action Plan is a series of over 60 actions that the City can take to help make Vancouver a more safe, inclusive, and engaging city for seniors. It has senior centers all over the city for them to participate in networking and recreational activities. These centers make sure that diversity in language and culture is addressed since a chunk of the senior population is immigrants. Vancouver also provides opportunities for its senior citizens to participate in the Arts and Health project for seniors which is a once a week workshop that is facilitated by a professional artist. Also in line with its networking and participation goals, the Vancouver government also holds outdoor buffets, outreach programs for its seniors.
It has a progressive program for its seniors’ citizen because the city government wants to enhance the services and amenities for all its senior citizens, not just the active ones, but also those who are less healthy and more vulnerable. The plan is founded by a series of consultations among hundreds of seniors in Vancouver, senior organizations and health providers. The plan addresses their inequities and well-being, which is integrated in six vital parts from the Healthy City Strategy (City of Vancouver, 2017).
Aging programs: Advance Care Planning, , Protection from Elder Abuse and Neglect, Fall Prevention, Financial Planning, Leaving a Legacy Health and Safety, Health Care Programs and Services, Healthy Eating, Housing , Mental Health, Physical Activity, Safety at Home, Lifelong Learning and Creativity Community Engagement and Connection Transportation and Volunteering (City of Vancouver, 2017).
Toronto is one of the cities in the Canadian province of Ontario. Toronto is known for the vast social service assistance that is delivered under the Ontario Works Act (Breach, Chaykowski & Shortt, 2007). Eligible low income citizens are able to acquire financial assistance from the city government particularly in the aspects of child support, employment, housing and health. Eligible for the Ontario Works Assistance should have certified status in Canada and are Toronto residents. They should at least be 18 years old, and does not have any financial means to afford living expenses but are ready for opportunities for employment, unless medically unable to be so.
For child care, the Start-Up Benefit program enables eligible citizens to receive financial assistance of one month’s worth of childcare expenses particularly if the requester is about to begin work or training, and cannot afford child care. The financial benefit costs 600 dollars and is given within a 12 month period. Employment Assistance also provides Ontario Works beneficiaries with financial assistance when they start training for employment, or self-employment to cover licensing fees, and equipment expenses. The benefit is up to 253 dollars and is given within a 12 month period. Investing in Neighborhoods is an Ontario Works initiative that provides significant and rewarding jobs to eligible citizens at non-profit organizations. These jobs pay 12 dollars per hour on the minimum 21 hours per week for 52 weeks. Eligible citizens may also apply for the Ontario Works Employment and Training Programs which provide skill training and career development programs so they can be prepared for actual employment (City of Toronto, 2017).
Aside from the one month financial assistance that is available for employment bound and eligible Toronto residents, there are also other Ontario Works benefits related to child care. The Family support enables eligible Toronto residents to receive support from the city’s social service to enhance their family’s way of life. Ontario works with other government divisions to extend assistance in aspects such as child and spousal support. It is able to provide eligible parents who are intent to pursue child support advice and assistance during out-of-court agreements or in- court procedures if that is preferred to parents who are intent to pursue child support.
Another child care benefit is the Learning, Earning and Parenting Program for eligible Toronto parents who wish to finish their high school education. The program is aimed at urging young parents to acquire a high school diploma or its equivalent through an educational program; fostering the development of skills for young parents to be ready for employment; providing support to young parents in the aspects of education and care-giving for their children and themselves. Participants of LEAD not only are provided financial assistance to undertake the program but access to child care assistance as well. Eligible Ontario Works beneficiaries in Toronto can also receive financial assistance to help them purchase items for a new baby like clothing and milk.
The Welcome Policy, on the other hand, offers financial assistance for recreational activities and programs for Toronto residents with low income. Temporary Care Assistance is a financial assistance given to a Toronto resident and an eligible Ontario Works beneficiary who is caring for children that are not their own. Transition child benefit is complementary child care benefit from the government from the Ontario government for families with minors who are receiving financial assistance from the Toronto government.
Social Service Structure on Conflict Perspectives
Conflict perspective deals with value and critical conflict that arise from power struggles due to scarcity of resources. This results to inequality and injustice in the arenas of politics, social and economy. Issues on value happen when two groups have different values. An example of this is the belief of democratic ideals by one group but some members of the group believe that these values do not exist in reality. What are ideal values of equality and human rights are replaced with inequality and racial discrimination. Critical conflict happens when there is inequality class or gender. An example of this is how the capitalists dominate property and labor. And how crime is perceived to be committed by the same social class, so criminal investigations for offenders by other classes are not seriously investigated. What is unique about Toronto is their mental health program to deal with this issue. Critical and value conflicts arise when there are issues one is mentally unhealthy regardless of class, gender or race. Residents of the British Columbia provided are provided with medically approved data on mental health by research and service centers like Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and Ministry of Children, the Family Development Child and Youth Mental Health and the F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids' Mental Health (City of Toronto, 2017). Residents are also able to avail of the service of British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use service for children to adults as well F.O.R.C.E. Society for Kids' Mental Health which provide families and professionals information and advice on how to support and help children with information, tools, and tips on how to support and assist children with mental health difficulties (MCFD, 2017).
Inter-actionist Perspective
Inter-actionist Perspective deals with the micro level investigation of how people’s actions make sense and affect each other. This view analyzes how groups engage in activities that create social problems and creates labels on individuals and groups. As a result, it creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. An example would be how society labels criminals and how they are expected to do a set of actions, until they are arrested.
Vancouver’s indirect services for the youth foster their inclusion and support particularly as a decision making voices and prime resources of the city. It has its own youth portal where they can have live interaction with City Hall. They can also participate in developmental opportunities within the city. The CitizenU is another indirect social service of the Vancouver government to address discrimination, bullying and racism among the youth and their o families.
Feminist Perspective
The Feminist perspective fosters the varied impacts of social occurrences on men and women with an emphasis on the power struggle as they relate with each other. The feminist issue affects culture and socialization. The feminist perspective has different theories, namely theories of difference where both men and women’s realities are different. Theories of oppression are those where women are discredited and discriminated because of sexism and patriarchy. Theories of interlocking oppression focus on the differences on feminist issues on racism, poverty and lesbianism. Feminism today thrives through social movements that are supported by the city and national governments. There are reform movements that aim to reform social structures, revolutionary movements that aim for total societal change. Resistance movements seek to prevent oppressive reforms.
There are also varied indirect social services for women in Vancouver, making sure that women have an active participation in the city’s politics, economy, culture and social activities (Feldberg, Ladd-Taylor & Li, 2003). It also promotes the vital roles that women play in the city of Vancouver. As such, the city is also has varied programs to foster gender equality. Vancouver actively holds celebrations and gives recognition to women achievers. One of its long running programs is the Remarkable Women poster series that gave acclaim to local women who have made vital contributions in varied areas to the city. Vancouver has also varied programs that celebrate diversity with its active participation of Black History Month, Diwali, International Women’s Day, and Vancouver Pride, among others.
Conclusion
Because Toronto is bigger and more modern, it has a wider and better range of social assistance welfare. The provincial government also has an overarching aim to foster affordability among residents in the province. Information and support is available for all residents and not just the citizens with low income. Vancouver, on the other hand, has a comprehensive social service program that is more inclusive for minorities making it very popular to outsiders to live in the city. Since Toronto and Vancouver are economically thriving cities, both have the capacity for improvement and growth in terms of their social services.
References
Breach, C., Chaykowski, R., & Shortt, S. (2007). Health Services Restructuring in Canada. Ontario: Queens University.
Careless, J. (2006). Toronto. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historical Foundation of Canada.
City of Toronto (2017). Community and People. Toronto.ca. Retrieved from https://web.toronto.ca/community-people/
City of Vancouver (2017). People and programs. Vancouver.ca. Retrieved from http://vancouver.ca/people-programs.aspx
Feldberg , G. , Ladd-Taylor , M. & Li, A. (2003). Women, Health and Nation. Montreal: McGill-Queen University Press.
McGilly, F. (1998). An Introduction to Canada's Public Social Services : Understanding Income and Health Programs. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Ministry of Children and Family Development MCFD (2017). Supporting Affordability for BC Families. Government of British Columbia.com. Retrieved from http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/supporting_affordability/index.htm
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