Do they have welfare in canada or does everyone have to work do they have disbility like ssi programs?

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Firstly, Angelo O: your assertion that most people on welfare are not deserving is both wrong and highly bigoted. True, quite a number of people on social assistance can work but not all. You can't just waltz into an office and receive welfare; you have to prove your eligibility. As for disability, well, the government is very strict on that measure, too. I know personally because I have a major disability but do not qualify for any assistance.

Hipolito: There are some people who think that Canada is a free-for-all nation with gold paved roads and tons of free money that they hand out like after-dinner mints.

It is not.

Canadians work and work very hard. We pay very high taxes for the social programs we have. Take medicare, for instance. It isn't free, despite what many ill-informed people may say. True, we don't have to pay out of pocket to go see a doctor - that's what we pay our taxes for. We have social programs but it's not like families and individuals get thousands and thousands of free dollars each month. You've been asking a lot of questions about Canada and our social service programs. For more detailed information, go to www.gc.ca

SteveN

Welfare does exist in Canada. It is a program that was originally designed for people who are unfortunate enough to not be able to work for whatever reason, such as having skills that are not in demand anymore, or due to a long-term illness or disability and such.

There are restrictions on who can collect welfare, and certain things that they have to do to qualify.

Unfortunately, we have seen abuses of the system in the past, where people who are fully capable of working prefer to collect the welfare and live off the system. We also had some recipients who are living on welfare, yet working under the table to earn more money, and buying big screen TVs and expensive gifts for themselves. If caught, they face fines or fraud charges, but often enough the system has been bilked of several thousands of dollars by that person that are never recovered.

This is not to say that EVERY person on welfare is not deserving of a little compassion for their misfortune. I would just like to see people rewarded for getting off the welfare system and back into the workforce, to help make the country a better place economically.

tuppenybitz

there is a welfare system for Canadians!
the benefit is very small and hardly enough to live on and very hard to get it

there is a disability benefit once again not a huge amount of money

to be entitled to either Benefit you would have to have worked in Canada or a length of time

you can not just move to Canada and apply or a benefit, in fact unless you are skilled worker you may find it hard to get a work visa or Canada

Angela O

Yes, unfortunately there are welfare recipients in Canada. I would be fine with it if they were deserving, but for the most part they are perfectly capable of working, they just would rather spend all day getting drunk/high while watching daytime TV.

I think welfare recipients should have mandatory drug tests and any failure should result in immediate suspension of welfare benefits. If I was drunk all day, I would expect to be fired from my job, why are they so special?

Sorry, I don't know what an ssi program is, therefore can't comment.

EDIT: Z - my comments are based on my observations. Here in Saskatchewan we have a huge number of Native people (for example), fully capable of working but do not chose to and therefore are on welfare. This is not saying that all Natives are on welfare, nor is it saying that only Natives are. I am a Native person, I have never received assistance of any sort.

I also stated that I have no issue with those deserving of being on assistance should be. You sound quite defensive.

contessajfjg

I have been on welfare in Canada, however my situation is different from many others who choose to go on welfare, I received welfare when I was 16, I needed proof to show that my parents couldn't/wouldn't take care of me not that I just ran away (my proof was from the Children's Aid society) I also had to be in school and maintain a high average and high attendance or I would be denied welfare, I also got more money then the average person since I was going to school. Once a month I had to go pick up my cheque at a place where they help other teens who were in my situation, there they offered a ton of programs, sexual education, free food, showers, and even free dental care once a week.
People in Canada when they go on welfare they go through many workshops like how to make a resume, they are given an access card to computers where they can search for jobs, there are tons of free workshops offered to them, in my opinion the welfare system really tries to get them to get a job.
They also encourage you to get a job while you are on welfare if you make a certain amount they start to deduct from your welfare cheque until eventually you can support yourself and in turn wouldn't need welfare.
The welfare system really helped me, without the support from the government I wouldn't have been able to finish school. It was also nice to have a worker who checked my grades and attendence, made sure I was on track.

globetrekker

Yes we do have welfare in Canada. Examples of social welfare services include the following:

-Compulsory superannuation savings programs.

-Compulsory social insurance programs, often based on income, to pay for the social welfare service being provided. These are often incorporated into the taxation system and may be inseparable from income tax.

-Pensions or other financial aid, including social security and tax relief, to those with low incomes or inability to meet basic living costs, especially those who are raising children, elderly, unemployed, injured, sick or disabled.

-Free or low cost nursing, medical and hospital care for those who are sick, injured or unable to care for themselves. This may also include free antenatal and postnatal care. Services may be provided in the community or a medical facility.

-Free or low cost public education for all children, and financial aid, sometimes as a scholarship or pension, sometimes in the form of a suspensory loan, to students attending academic institutions or undertaking vocational training.

-The state may also fund or operate social work and community based organizations that provide services that benefit disadvantaged people in the community.

-Welfare money paid to persons, from a government, who are in need of financial assistance but who are unable to work for pay.

dont taze me bro

sounds like you just want to come here to have a free meal. dont come here if you want to just go on welfare. thats for canadian citizens, not americans.

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