Should CCT's Replace Welfare?

Recently I stumbled upon a BBC series look at the validity of the CCT(Conditional Cash Transfers). The host Mishal Hussein was taking a look at the positives and possible negatives of the program. So far the program has been instituted in countries like Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Jamaica and recently a pilot project has been set up in New York City. I intentionally left out Brazil because I have a short personal story to share.

Now the first four countries on the list are not the most richest nor the most unlikely that their Governments would resort to corruption, so the host Ms Hussein posed the question is this blackmail on the part of Governments to win elections and get voters on their side? Well first before I answer that I would like to explain what CCT's are.

Conditional Cash Transfers or CCT's are a system which the Government hands out money to the poorest and the most destitute of society and unlike welfare sends Government workers to do inspections to see if the person or the family is spending the money on things like baby formula, diapers, medicine and other essentials that the money should be used for. The system also helps those receiving the money to find a job and allows the period of CCT's to be extended for that to occur. This also puts the responsibility on the Government to create sustainable jobs that pay enough that the person on CCT's doesn't have to rely on it forever and thus frees the Government to allow someone else struggling to get back on their feet and provide for their family.

I believe these measures must be taken to ensure that during these economic hardships every dollar must be looked after. If we allow the current welfare system to continue the Provinces and even the Nation itself will go bankrupt. Those who abuse the system must be weeded out and those who honestly need help be put at the front of the line. About six years ago my sister married a man named Ronaldo from Brazil, in Brazil it's Bossa Familia ( their version of the CCT program). Bossa Familia is one of the reasons why Brazil went from one of the poorest nations to one of the richest economic powers of the Western world. The nations ability to track where the money was going and thus weeding out the corrupt elements within the previous Government allowed for more investment in housing and programs that even further benefits average Brazillians today.

My brother in law speaks highly of the program and believes a program like Bossa Familia would work wonders in Canada. The poor who want help would not oppose this, only those who look to defraud the system would oppose something this beneficial. Back to the question would this system blackmail poor or working poor to voting for them? Well if the Liberal or Conservative Parties in Canada or in my Province of Ontario instituted this system to replace welfare and thus saving taxpayers money I would definetly at least consider lending my vote to say thank you for finally caring about the poor, working poor and the taxpayer at the same time. As for it actually happening via those two Parties, well that's another story altogether, for another blog I guess. Later folks.