The Welfare History Project
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welfarehistory.bsky.social
The Welfare History Project
@welfarehistory.bsky.social
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Public education project on the history of state-controlled social assistance in so-called "Ontario, Canada."

Lead by a disabled OW recipient.
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welfarehistory.bsky.social
At inception, it was characterized by the term "Workfare" — a kind of "welfare" in which people reliant on government aid are forced into labour in order to receive payments.

Here is an article from the Georgetown Gemini from January 29, 1997 about this coming forth as a pilot program.
Headline: Workfare gradually introduced in Halton By Jamie Harrison Three months into it, Halton Region, Halton Hills in particular, is catching on to Workfare and the idea of working for government money. The implementation process of Workfare, also known as the Ontario Works program, is in full swing, requiring that able-bodied welfare recipients work. Those who refuse a work placement risk having their benefits cut off. The ultimate goal is to get recipients off social assistance and back into the workforce. "It's not finished yet," said Bonnie Ewart, Halton's Commissioner of Social Services, "It's going to take the better part of the year." In Halton, 1,300 are currently receiving some form of welfare, 13 per cent of which live in Halton Hills (exact figures for Georgetown are not readily available). While Workfare initially met some resistance last summer, Ewart said there haven't been many complaints from either clients or businesses. "We've had a couple of complaints from non-profit organizations that said they'd rather not be involved," Ewart said. "The clients are pretty receptive. It involves them working with us and with a goal of getting off social assistance." In a press conference announced last October, it was announced that Halton would serve as one of the 20 pilot project sites in Ontario.
June 17, 2025 at 6:42 AM
welfarehistory.bsky.social
I encourage anyone who lives elsewhere and who wants to, to make a specific welfare history project for your area, if you want.
June 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
welfarehistory.bsky.social
I intend to start out by posting one historical post per week. Either from bill readings, interviews, historical welfare rates (and how they have gotten worse), books, articles, journals, etc. The focus will begin on #OW and #ODSP, but hopefully will expand with time. Follow along with me.
June 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
welfarehistory.bsky.social
The Welfare History Project is a public education campaign with the intention of making information more accessible to all. We have been fighting for our lives for decades, and it can feel like no one is listening. We need this to change.
June 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM