Social Policy 2000: An Agenda

This report draws inspiration from Tom Kent’s influential 1960 tract Towards a Philosophy of Social Security, the blueprint for the phenomenal development of social programs in the 1960s. The report puts forward “a realistic, multi-year agenda” for the renewal of Canadian social policy. Kent’s proposals put meat on the bones of the much-talked about but little-understood ‘social union.’ It places children front and centre in the proposed new national agenda. The federal government should convert the child care expense deduction to a maximum $7,000 per child refundable tax credit. The new tax credit is intended to spur the growth across the country of child centres providing early childhood care and development. Ottawa and the provinces should cooperate in building the system of child development centres. The Canada Child Tax Benefit should be boosted to a maximum $4,000 per child under six, with subsequent increases to older children. Kent also puts forward proposals on monetary and tax policy and support for postsecondary education.

ISBN – 1-894159-31-4