Since our inception in 1992, the Caledon Institute of Social Policy has been monitoring major developments in key social policies and programs. Our first formal documentation of this work was presented in the report Federal Social Programs: Setting the Record Straight published in May 1993. The appendix to this report included a year-by-year inventory of significant social policy announcements.

     Our monitoring activity has since been embodied in the wide-ranging reports we have published over the past 15 years, including our responses to federal Budgets. But we have long recognized the need for a more formal and deliberative tracking process to inform both our own work and those of other groups and organizations involved in various aspects of social policy.

     In response to this need, we are announcing today the launch of the Social Policy Record. This web-based publication will help achieve three core objectives:

• To document major policies and programs in several areas including income security; early childhood development and child care; labour market adjustment, training and employment; housing and homelessness; and disability supports.



• To track significant changes to these policies and programs over time. These changes will be presented by both subject and jurisdiction.



• To provide the foundation for analyzing social policy trends and the effectiveness over time of the wide-ranging responses to social needs.

     While the Social Policy Record will focus upon significant developments at the federal and provincial/territorial levels, we will also include selected social policy announcements at the municipal level. Participants in the 15-city Vibrant Communities project will help contribute to the tracking of these measures in their respective localities. We are especially concerned about capturing changes that will affect the well-being of people living in poverty.

     The Social Policy Record is a work in progress. Because of both the scope of areas to be covered and the inclusion of selected local developments, the Social Policy Record will be built over time as we incorporate new information and changes to existing measures.

     Our first entry focuses upon recent announcements related to housing and homelessness. We have selected this area as a starting point because of its relevance to many Vibrant Communities participants. Notification of additions and amendments to the Social Policy Record will appear in our regular Caledon electronic announcements.