Three-Year Review
of the Social Union Framework Agreement
The
"social union" initiative is the umbrella under which governments
will concentrate their efforts to renew and modernize Canadian social
policy. It focuses on the pan-Canadian dimension of health and social
policy systems, the linkages between the social and economic unions,
and the recognition that reform is best achieved in partnership among
provinces, territories and the Government of Canada. The primary objective
of the social union initiative is to reform and renew Canada's system
of social services and to reassure Canadians that their pan-Canadian
social programs are strong and secure. In working to build a strong
social union, the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories
have reached a broad consensus that the first priorities should be children
in poverty and persons with disabilities.
First
Ministers created the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Council on Social
Policy Renewal* in 1996 and directed it to guide the social union initiative.
The Council monitors work on overarching social policy issues and, as
well, coordinates and supports "sectoral" councils that examine cross-sectoral
issues such as supporting children and persons with disabilities. The
Council includes representation from nine provinces, three territories
and the Government of Canada and is co-chaired by Ken Dryden, Minister
of Social Development Canada, and Stan Hagen, Minister of children and
Family Development, British Columbia.
This
website provides an overview of activities associated with the social union.
[* While sharing essentially the same
concerns, the Government of Quebec does not participate on the F-P-T Council
on Social Policy Renewal.]
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