Chapter 8: To what extent

should Canadians support

social programs and taxation?

Social Program:
A service that is
provided by
government to
reduce economic
inequalities and
promote the wellbeing of citizens.

Think, Pair, Share:

What social programs
should the
government provide?
Then, as a class discuss
which are the top 3
choices that you feel
are the most
important.

Analyzing Photographs

Medical procedures are costly to the Canadian taxpayer. Should individuals or

society pay for medical services?

Analyzing Photographs

Food Banks receive support from voluntary donations and from the government. They
are one way to counter the effects of poverty.

Analyzing Photographs

Thousands of people are homeless in Canada. Governments in Canada and the

U.S. provide support to people who cannot meet their basic needs.

Analyzing Photographs

Some senior citizens are retired or, for health or other reasons, are no longer
able to earn income from jobs. Canada and the U.S have different positions on
supporting seniors.

Post analysis class

discussion
After viewing the photos, what are some of
the issues that the photographs are
communicating?
What issue question can be generated to
relate all of these photos?

Analyzing Political Cartoons

Discussion Analyzing Political

Cartoons
1. What comment is the cartoonist making
about paying taxes?
2. From this cartoon what can you conclude
about taxpayers views about paying taxes?
3. Is the perspective in the cartoon biased?
4. How can the government lower taxes in
Canada?
5. How would lowering taxes impact your
quality of life? Think of both the positive
and negative impacts.

What are social programs?

Social programs are services provided by
government and paid for by taxes. They aim to
reduce economic inequalities in society and
promote the well-being of all citizens.
Views differ on what programs might count as
social programs. The list can include:
health care, pensions for senior citizens, income
assistance, education, affordable housing, child
protection services, employment insurance, child care,
and other programs administered or supported by
government.

How do decisions about social programs and

taxation in Canada and the U.S attempt to
meet the needs of citizens?
Canadas Founding
How might decisions
Principle:
on social programs
Peace, order and good
connect to the
government.
principles of mixed and
market economies?
Based on their
founding principles,
which country do you
think tends to provide
more social programs?

Americas Founding
Principle:
Life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.

The ideals (values) of the government in control

can determine which services will be offered and
how many taxes will be assessed to citizens.
Ex. Canada vs. U.S.

Lets look at the example of

Healthcare

-In Canada, health care is a public

service provided by the Canadian govt
through taxes
-In the USA health care is

private. To cover the cost of

their health care, citizens are
required to purchase insurance
(either from the govt or from
insurance companies).

Health insurance

-an agreement by a company to pay

for your health services in exchange
for a fee you pay every month, or year

-Health insurance can be purchased in

Canada
-It is used to provide extra services not
provided by govt healthcare.
- Ex. Blue Cross
-US citizens need to get health
insurance to ensure the care they need
will be paid for in the event they
become ill.

Canadas Health Act

The Canadian Health Act is a
federal law that sets out 5
principles for health care in
Canada. The act says that, in
every
province and territory, health
care
must be:

Publicly administered: run

by government for no
profit.
Comprehensive: for care
provided by hospitals,
physicians and surgeons.
Universal: available to
everyone.
Portable: available
everywhere in Canada, no
matter where you make
your home in Canada.
Accessible: available within
reason time and distance.

Glossary
What do the following terms mean?

1. Health insurance
2. Private health
care
3. Public health care
4. Profit