Author ORCID Identifier

Stephanie Ben-Ishai - 0000-0001-6587-8971

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2019

Source Publication

Ben-Ishai, Stephanie, et al. "Eligible Non-Participation in Canadian Social Welfare Programs." McGill Law Journal, vol. 64, no. 3, March 2019, pp. 499-534.

Abstract

To be effective in meeting their policy or political goals, social programs must reach the intended target groups. Many social programs, however, have low take-up rates. We examine three illustrative federal programs targeted to lower income Canadians and note that efforts by government agencies to serve all they intend to serve vary considerably. In this paper we discuss the sources of eligible non-participation and present estimates of its extent. We point out that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) plays a critical role in all three Canadian social welfare programs. We find that the legislative framework governing the CRA may be at odds with the mandate given to the Minister of National Revenue to improve access to federal benefits. While automatic enrolment emerges as the preferred approach to improving take-up of benefits, we also consider alternate approaches, including information campaigns, the use of technology, and a role for third party intermediaries.

French Abstract

Afin de rencontrer efficacement leurs objectifs politiques, les programmes sociaux doivent parvenir a rejoindre les groupes vises. Plusieurs programmes sociaux, toutefois, ont un faible taux de souscription. Nous examinerons a cette fin trois programmes federaux qui visent les Canadiens a revenu modique et nous noterons que les actions entreprises par les agences gouvernementales afin d'ameliorer le taux de souscription varient considerablement. Dans cet article, nous aborderons les sources de la non-participation des personnes eligibles et nous presenterons des estimations de son 6tendue. Nous soulignerons que r'Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC) joue un role critique au sein des trois programmes canadiens d'assistance sociale. Nous venons a la conclusion que le modele legislatif gouvernant 1'ARC est peut-&tre en contradiction avec le mandat donne au Ministere du revenu national dameliorer I'acces aux benefices federaux. Bien que r'inscription automatique emerge comme 6tant l'approche favoris6e afin dameliorer le taux de souscription aux benefices, nous considerons aussi des approches alternatives, notamment les campagnes informatives, le recours a la technologie et le role des tierces parties intermediaires.

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