Continuities and discontinuities: the political economy of social welfare and labour market policy in Canada

This book assesses the making of Canadian social and labour market policy in the context of two factors - globalization and neo-conservatism. Specialists from a variety of fields and disciplines examine the relation between Canada's changing political economy and its social welfare and labour market policy. These essays analysing continuities and discontinuities in policy emerged from research that was presented at the 5th Conference on Social Welfare Policy held at Bishop's University in 1991, and that has been revised to reflect the situation of the mid-1990s. Part I introduces the three broad areas explored in the volume. Part II addresses new trends in Canadian political economy and their relation to public policy. Part III analyses social welfare policy. In Part IV recent Canadian labour market policies are investigated and appraised, and alternatives suggested or evaluated. Globalization and neo-conservatism continue to shape change and require constant evaluation. The essays are a contribution to the ongoing debate on social welfare and labour market policy in Canada. -from Editors