Canada's Welfare State and the British Model

• In the 1940s, Canada designed its welfare state using the British model of prioritizing full employment and a backup social security system to provide for those at social risk.
• The National Health Service (NHS) was designed to try to clean up "the pool of ill health" while other departments were working on other problems connected to want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness.
• Through providing full employment and by improving education and housing, disease would be reduced and there would be less demand on medical care, freeing up doctors to build up good health.
• This system was adapted from Sir William Beveridge's ideas, which were based on the British model of prioritizing full employment and a backup social security system to provide for those at social risk.

Explore Canada's welfare state design in the 1940s, based on the British model prioritizing full employment and a backup social security system. Learn about the National Health Service (NHS) and its aim to improve public health and address social issues. Understand the adaptation of Sir William Beveridge's ideas in shaping the Canadian welfare system.