Welfare to Work: Creating a Community Where all Can Work

Abstract

Finding the right mix of policy options to ensure that all members of society who are able have the opportunity to work is a key challenge facing Canadian governments. In Manitoba, the challenge is complicated by an aging workforce, significant barriers to labour force participation facing the rapidly increasing aboriginal population, skills shortages, and low wages in many sectors. Manitoba’s current government rejected the prevailing philosophy that tax cuts and workfare programs would reduce the number of people on assistance. Instead, the Government adopted a balanced approach, restoring key services, strengthening communities, expanding education opportunities, and reducing both the debt and taxes in a sustainable manner. The approach focused first on getting the economic and fiscal fundamentals right, and then on finding the right mix of policies and programs to help people find permanent, meaningful work.  Manitoba’s unemployment rate remains the lowest or second-lowest in Canada, while its youth unemployment rate is well below the national rate.