Glossary N

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Needs Test - used in selective income security programs to determine eligibility based on the income and the need of the prospective recipient. Eligibility criteria define need which is then compared to the prospective recipient life situation.

Negative Income Tax (NIT) - a payment by governments to persons or households below certain income level as opposed to positive income taxes which are paid to governments by persons with income above a certain level.

Neoconservatism - An ideological term characterizing parties or politicians who not only advocate an end to government expansion, but believe in reducing its role via downsizing, privatization, and deregulation.

New Deal - Passed in 1935 by the Conservative government of R.B. Bennett, it established a social insurance plan, maximum work hours and minimum wages, a marketing board for natural products and farm credit provisions. A split in support over the New Deal in the party, led Mackenzie King’s Liberals into power in 1935 and in 1937, the New Deal measures were declared unconstitutional.

New Democratic Party (NDP) - Established in 1961 by the amalgamation of the CCF and CLC parties, appealed to voters in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Under the leadership of Tommy Douglas, the party gained recognition in the federal elections of 1962 winning 19 seats and in 1969 it was elected into government in Manitoba. In 1972, the NDP won 30 seats in the federal election. Its popularity is due in great part to the fact that it has given voters an alternative to the major parties exerting constant pressure on their governments. The NDP have ensured that social issues retain political importance.

New federalism A policy initiated during the Nixon administration in which certain decision-making powers were returned to the state and local levels of government. A key element in the new federalism was the extensive use of revenue sharing and block grants.

Nonjudgmental attitude - Behavior that does not impose one's own personal values and standards on others.

Nonprofit private agencies - Agencies that use all of their resources to provide services.

Norm - An expected standard of behaviour and belief established and enforced by a group.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - A trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico purportedly eliminating tariffs and other forms of trade protectionism.