discuss the area of Canadian law in which the issue falls and briefly review any significant legal history, and any political and/or public debate on the issue.
Expand on the issue in terms of who it impacts (who does the law benefit and how, who is disadvantaged by the law and in what way? Whose voices are heard in the decision making?) and how this may be tied to social work practice.
Discuss the role of social work in the issue. Be sure to incorporate social work theory in your review of the legal issue. How is this issue viewed from a [feminist/anti-oppressive/ critical race theory/ intersectionality, etc] lens? Identify any ethical dilemmas present within the issue. What are the implications of the social work Code of Ethics in terms of involvement in the issue?
This paper is intended to express critical thought about the legal environment of social work practice in Canada. Choose a topic where the Canadian legal system intersects with social work. This may be a law, a legal issue or program; an emerging legal issue relevant to social work practice; or an area you see worthy of legal reform. The paper is to discuss the area of Canadian law in which the issue falls and briefly review any significant legal history, and any political and/or public debate on the issue.
Expand on the issue in terms of who it impacts (who does the law benefit and how, who is disadvantaged by the law and in what ways? Whose voices are heard in the decision making?) and how this may be interconnected to social work practice.
Discuss the role of social work in the issue. Be sure to incorporate social work theory in your review of the legal issue. How is this issue viewed from a [feminist/anti-oppressive/ critical race theory/ intersectionality, etc.] lens? Identify any ethical dilemmas present within the issue. What are the implications of the social work Code of Ethics in terms of involvement in the issue?
Possible topics for this assignment may include:
• Medical assistance in death
• Legalization of marijuana
• The Mental Health Services Act (short-term involuntary detention of youth)
• Over-representation of Indigenous persons in the criminal justice system
• Safe injection sites
• Laws concerning sex work
• Professional duties and obligations for social workers in Court
• Reconciling competing ethical and legal directives in child welfare
• Disability rights
• Laws & policies concerning gender identification
• Balancing victims’ rights and restorative/rehabilitative justice approaches
• The Saskatchewan Income Support program (SIS) (effective 2019)
• Covid-19 and employment
• Indigenous law and the Canadian Constitution
• The Indian Act and women
• Jordan’s principle
