Glossary W-Z

W
Welfare Economics - the branch of economics that is concerned with improving the quality of life by a fairer distribution of wealth and an adequate provision of social welfare.

Welfare State - a system whereby the state undertakes ostensibly to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, especially those in financial need.

Winnipeg General Strike (1919) - The workers in the building and metal trades went on strike when their employers refused to negotiate a collective bargaining procedure or to raise wages. Although the strike was peaceful, the government intervened by bringing in special police to break up the strike. One spectator was killed and 30 injured, the strike was over and their leaders were jailed. The strike became a political issue and one of its leaders was elected in the provincial elections of 1920 and the following year, J.S. Woodsworth became the first socialist member of the federal House of Commons representing Winnipeg.

Women's Liberation movement - The contemporary women's rights movement - its legacy being that of the nineteenth century women's rights and women's suffrage movements. The movement seeks to destroy the myths surrounding women (namely that they are inferior to men in almost every aspect, with the possible exception of cooking, cleaning, and having babies) and seeks sexual, political, and economic equality in a male-dominated society.

Woodsworth , James Shaver (1874-1942) - He was a Methodist minister, social worker and politician. Touted as a spokesperson for the disadvantaged, he was sympathetic to the strikers during the Winnipeg General Strike in 1919. He criticized conscription and resigned his ministry as a protest against the Church’s support for the war. He was founder and President of the CCF.

Work test - was developed to avoid the development of large institutions of workhouses.

Worker's Compensation - Workers' Compensation programs are provincially administered benefits designed to protect individuals against income loss due to workplace injury or disease. The first Worker's Compensation program was brought in Ontario in 1914.

Workfare - Work for a specific minimum number of work units (measured in hours or output) in a job that is designated or approved by the welfare authority, to qualify for the basic welfare benefit. See http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/welref.htm# for additional information. In Ontario it is the name for social assistance.

Workhouse Test - The workhouse test was viewed as a way to make relief less appealing, and a way to judge whether or not need was genuine.

Workhouses Residences established under the Elizabethan Poor Law that were used for the involuntarily unemployed and where basic needs were to be met in return for work.

Worktest - Large workhouse institutions were changed to a Worktest, which was performed at home instead of in an institution. With this a person would be given a specific task such as sawing work in order to receive assistance. This came about as it was difficult to find enough unpleasant jobs within the workhouse institutions.

World Trade Organization - An international organization created to provide the ground rules for international trade and commerce.