The Social Service Programs Branch (SSPB) was formed as the result of a reorganization of welfare functions July 1975, which amalgamated the Social Allowances and Services Branch and the Developmental Programs Branch. SSPB's mandate is to ensure the maintenance of a "social safety net" for Canadians by supporting social assistance to persons whose economic circumstances are inadequate to meet their needs, or whose social circumstances expose them to the risk of poverty, isolation or dependency. The major components of this safety net are provided by the Canada Assistance Plan (CAP), a federal-provincial cost-sharing arrangement by which the federal government contributes funding to the provinces to defray the costs of provincially-organized social assistance programs. In addition to the provisions of CAP, the Branch provides grants and contributions to promote and maintain the continued participation of Canadian senior citizens within the community, and to develop and demonstrate new, innovative and effective community social services. The Branch also advises federal and provincial officials, voluntary organizations and consumer groups on a variety of issues such as adoption, family and children's services, community development, voluntary actions, and rehabilitation. In March 1993, SSPB merged with the Health Services and Promotion Branch and became known as the Health and Social Programs (HSPB), and in the fall of 1993, portions of the Branch were transferred to the newly-created Department of Human Resources Development (HRD), where they form the Social Development and Education Branch.
This accession contains subject files relating to the development of Bill C-57, the Social Services Act (also known as the Cost-Shared Proposal) (boxes 1-39), and Bill C-55, the Social Services Funding Act (also as Block Funding) (boxes 39-54). Subjects include consultation with the provinces, financial estimates, legislative outlines, briefing notes, discussions of interface with the Canada Assistance Plan, review of services, and draft legislation and regulations. Also included in this accession are files relating to child welfare subjects (boxes 54-65), including protection legislation in the provinces, available child welfare services, and cooperation and liaison with government agencies. For related material, see RG 29, Volumes 3542-3610.
