Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Social Work

Faculty/School

Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work

First Advisor

Anne Westhues

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the federal government's program designed to address child poverty after the commitment made by the Canadian parliament, in 1989, to eradicate child poverty by the year 2000. Specifically, the Child Tax Benefit (CT-13), the targeted children's poverty program introduced by the federal government in 1993, is analysed in relation to whether it reduced, made no difference, or increased the level and depth of child poverty in Canada. To examine if there were significant correlational effects among the three years (1990, 1993, 1997) of data used in this study a Structural Equation Model was developed. Relationships of control (or modifying) variables such as total income, wages and salaries, and income after tax, were found to be appropriate predictors when dealing with child poverty. It was also found that each year could be treated/examined separately and that there was very little dependence between years. The results provide sufficient support to sustain that the effects of the program CT-13 on child poverty are negligible. The cutbacks to social assistance through claw backs and de-indexing and overall reduction on expenditures for social programs delivered through the welfare state had deleterious consequences for families and children during the time periods analysed in this study.

Convocation Year

2002

Convocation Season

Fall

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