Universality and Social Policy in Canada

"As a design principle, universalism faces major challenges: growing income inequality; greater provincial control over key social programs; and the growth of identity politics. Béland, Marchildon, and Prince put these issues squarely on the table, telling us what is at stake, and help us trace the emergent policy paradoxes and choices facing us. Must reading for Canada’s next generation of social policy architects."

John Myles, professor emeritus of Sociology and senior fellow, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto

"This critical and timely collection provides the only sustained analysis of universality in social policy literature. It is sure to stimulate a broad and interdisciplinary conversation about universality and its decline, as well as the implications for equity and social justice in Canada and beyond."

Tammy Findlay, Political and Canadian Studies, Mount Saint Vincent University

This timely, highly readable, and rigorous text is an essential intervention into social policy debates in Canada. Tackling the complex and pressing issues of policy aim, design, application, and scope through the lens of universality yields new insights into the dynamics of Canadian federalism, the social and fiscal adequacy of existing programs, and the prospects for equality in social policy outcomes.

Kate Bezanson, Department of Sociology, Brock University