Question 1.
Poverty in Canada is high with some sectors affected by rising poverty levels, and recent studies indicate that poverty levels in Canada are among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development members. Statistics show that the biggest cause of poverty in the country is inequality of opportunities, low wages, unemployment and hardships. Of great concern is that the levels of poverty among Canadians is a widening gap that is existent between the rich and the poor. Studies indicate that poverty levels are increasing among a set of persons namely singles who consist of young individuals are at the highest risks of poverty as opposed to individuals with families (poverty trend . Canada). Among the persons that are at high-risk levels are aboriginal people, immigrants that have just settled in the country, people living with disabilities and racial communities.
Statistics indicate that low-income individuals survive on wages that are two-thirds of the official statistics of low-income cut-offs. Low-wage labour markets and subsistence level living are the main poverty indicators. 1 in 7 People is estimated to be living in poverty in Canada while the average earnings for the least wealthy have reduced by 20% (poverty trend . Canada).Raising the minimum wage will tremendously affect the working poor. Minimum wage increment will elevate the purchasing power of the poor as long as the cost of living does not rise. The salary increase will reduce poverty levels as the affected will be able to live above the minimum wage limit, and their living standards will be significantly improved.
Question 3
There are various actors in the workplace that include supervisors and employees. Each has a role in maintaining the rules of occupational safety and Health. The duties of the director include the insurance that workers are in compliance with OSHA and its rules. Supervisors also have the mandate to confirm that employees use all the equipment’s and protective gear that are required in the workplace. It is also the responsibility of workers to inform employees of health and safety hazards that may exist in the workplace. Supervisors are also mandated to provide instructions on procedures to be followed for the security of individuals as indicated by regulations. Taking of precautionary steps to safeguard employees is also a mandate of the supervisor.
Workers are also actors that are responsible for Occupational health and safety in the workplace. Their roles and responsibilities include reporting of any work related accidents that may be as a result of poor occupational safety and health standards. Employees are also responsible for informing the necessary authority of any safety and health standards hazards that occur in the workplace. Employees are responsible for following the required set out standards that govern the workplace.
Question 4
Canada is a country of different cultures that have been existent over the centuries. Racism can trace its roots to the colonization period with pressure existing to let colonialists improve the lives of the natives through civilizing them, therefore, a move to educate the native people. European civilization was at one end while the minorities being below them. Emphasis was placed on the acquisition of Aboriginal lands in respect to the advantages of Europeans society and religion. Minorities were denied opportunities in education and health through various Acts. Strong informal norms were existent that ensured that intermixing was limited in scope. Racial indicators are existent as the Indian Act indicated how individuals would lose their status as well as claims to aboriginal land. This was a way to stop the questioning of equality in multi-racial identities. Institutional racism was responsible for limiting the role of minorities in development while causing income and opportunity inequality.
Discrimination of groups in Canada has affected society in various ways that include underemployment of minorities thus increasing poverty levels among some members of society. Stereotyping of minorities leads to lack of opportunities for the minorities and bias when faced with opportunities as well as the threat of abuse. Another effect is a lack of financial dependence due to low employment thus creation of overdependence in society this can lead to the denial of access to essential public services like health and social services.
References
Poverty Trend Scorecard. Canada 2014. Citizens for public justice. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi56oevttHLAhWBORQKHbDFC7UQFggjMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cpj.ca%2Ffiles%2Fdocs%2Fpoverty-trends-scorecard.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGFmFurdcv0MempUaIVCt9ZyQahXw&sig2=bb36o67O1gqPegnrJKkLXg
