The Canadian policy research networks (CPRN) asked Alain Noël, Director of the Université de Montréal’s Centre de recherche sur les politiques et le développement social to assess the Charest government’s action plan.
His verdict: The plan’s reforms to social assistance, supportive of the working poor and their families, will benefit a large number of low-income households. The removal of the punitive aspects of the current system is also laudable. But Noël finds the plan neglects those so disadvantaged as to be unable to enter the job market. He also argues that the plan lacks the same social perspective embodied in the anti-poverty law itself. It fails to set targets, monitor progress and hold the government accountable, and it makes no provision for engaging citizens and civil society in the anti-poverty effort.
After examining the events leading to the birth of the plan, he concludes that even its progressive elements would not have seen the light of day had there been no anti-poverty law and had there not been a strong social movement in Quebec demanding reforms.
To access or download the full text of Noël’s commentary : «[A Focus on Income Support: Implementing Quebec’s Law Against Poverty and Social Exclusion->http://www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=828]»
