Welfare and Well-Being; the Treatment of Social Relationships in the Administration of Income Assistance in Ontario

Classical economic theory treats the provisioning provided via social relationships as a hindrance to the efficient functioning of market discipline. This view of social relationships has been embodied in recent reforms in the administration of social assistance in Ontario. Provisioning that comes via social support networks has been redefined as a source of alternative income for the provincial government. The appropriation of social relationships by the provincial government is one means by which welfare administration closes off the possibilities for households who are poor to achieve well-being.