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Gay/lesbian communities - Within Canada, as well as other parts of the world, the urban environment provided opportunities for political and social organizing and this fostered the development of identifiable gay/lesbian communities. They are an example of the social networks people developed in response to societal dynamics of oppression, prejudice and stigmatization.

Gender - The culturally specific set of characteristics that identifies the social behaviour of women and men and the relationship between them. Gender, therefore, refers not simply to women or men, but to the relationship between them, and the way it is socially constructed. Because it is a relational term, gender must include women and men. Like the concepts of class, race and ethnicity, gender is an analytical tool for understanding social processes.

Geographic community - A geographic community is as defined by a specific neighbourhood, city district or local ward, with specific geographical boundaries.

Gerontological social work - Social work with older adults is often called gerontological social work. As the Canadian population ages, this field of practice is rapidly expanding. Twelve percent of Canada's current total population are seniors; by 2041, this will have risen to 23 percent. Practitioners in this field need specialized knowledge of health care issues, poverty, housing and mental health, including knowledge of the ageing process and the issues surrounding Alzheimer's disease. Since a large proportion of the elderly population are women, social work with older adults is often considered a women's issue.

Global social welfare - In this new era of globalization, the traditional concerns of social welfare practitioners in addressing the immediate needs of their clients will need to be broadened to include a concern with the issue of global human rights. Global social welfare refers to concern with justice, social regulation, social provision and redistribution between nations.

Globalization - The newest development in the expansion of global capitalism. It is a new manifestation of an old system of market liberalism, only this time it is occurring on an international, rather than national level. Marked by the expansion of the size and power of multinational corporations.

Great Depression - The largest downturn or economic depression in the economy in Canada took place in 1930s. It was characterized by deflation, which occurs when few people are buying products.

Group work - A social work method practised with groups of individuals. This method includes five steps: intake, assessment and case plan, group composition, intervention and termination.

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