Examinations of the Labour Market Outcomes and Housing of Ontario Social Assistance Recipients
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Authors
Adams, Jason
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Labour , Economics , Social Assistance , Immigrant , Homelessness , Labour Market Program , Poverty , Welfare , Public Policy , Unemployment , Residential Mobility
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis showcases a series of research examining various aspects of social assistance programs and their recipients using a set of administrative microdata following beneficiaries of the social assistance programs in Ontario, Canada. In Chapter 2, an analysis is carried out examining the disparities between various labour market outcomes for immigrant and non-immigrant social assistance recipients. After controlling for education level and other characteristics, survival analysis shows that likelihood of immigrant recipients exiting social assistance in any given period is statistically significantly lower than that of non-immigrant recipients by around 16%. However, further analysis reveals that immigrant recipients are less likely than non-immigrant recipients to return to social assistance after leaving. This discrepancy between the likelihood of finding employment and the implicit likelihood of retaining employment may be evidence of discrimination faced by immigrants in the Ontario labour market. Within the immigrant portion of the sample, higher age at their time of arrival to Canada leads to lower likelihood of finding employment, but lower likelihood of returning to social assistance, which could point to issues of cultural assimilation or discrimination against immigrants in the hiring process, or the undervaluation of human capital attained outside of Canada. Chapter 3 focuses on active labour market programs to which Ontario Works social assistance beneficiaries are assigned, intended to help them find and keep employment. After controlling for endogenous enrollment and omitted variable bias using an instrumental variable approach, significant differential impacts are found on unemployment spell duration, return rates to social assistance, and future time spent on social assistance across programs. Additionally, the effects of programs when assigned simultaneously are found to be detrimental. Chapter 4 provides a descriptive analysis of the housing situations and levels of residential mobility among recipients of Ontario Works, as well as the Ontario Disability Support Program. Additionally, an examination of those experiencing homelessness while on social assistance is carried out to examine prevalence of homelessness among different subpopulations. Overall, this research aims to shed light on both the living situations and labour market experiences facing those who are the most economically vulnerable in our society.
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Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.