The History of

Attitudes toward
Poverty
A Canadian History
Poverty
Inability to participate in society with
Dignity.
Attitudes, Beliefs and Stereotypes have
shaped public policy and response
Perception that poor were lazy or morally
deficient
Response generally different for those
perceived as unable to work ie) age,
disabililty
Pre-Confederation Policy
Based on British Policy and Attitudes
Responsibility of Charities and Religious
Groups
Used Houses of Industry Indoor Relief
Paying people strongly discouraged
Outdoor Relief
Support encourages laziness and sloth


Post WWI 1920s
Government supports
Disabled soldiers
Widows and orphans
Some support of single mothers and poor
seniors was starting to gain popularity
Idea of minimum wage starts to gain
support
The Great Depression 1930s
Social Paradigm Shift
Realize unemployment and poverty can
happen to anyone due to economy
Link between personality and poverty
disappearing
Relief programs created by Federal and
Provincial Govts but Very Minimal
Support for the Blind
Challenge and Response Theory
Post Depression
Federal govt starts to see as a government
responsibility
1941 national unemployment program
1944 baby bonus introduced and
universalized in 1973
1967 Canadian Pension plan begins and
drastically reduces # of seniors in poverty

1990s Old Attitudes
Resurface: Cyclical Theory
Focus on Fraud
Attitudes of the poor being lazy, having
poor morals and being cheats resurface
Lifetime bans on welfare fraud, cheat
hotlines, introduction of workfare
Changes to unemployment insurance
qualifications
1993 Child Tax Benefit replaces Baby Bonus
to refocus money to most in need

2000s
Poor economic
environment brings
return of sympathy to
those suffering in
poverty
Growing criticism of
increasing Gap
between the Rich and
Poor