SOCIAL: PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES/ SEAWEED AS A SOCIAL SUPPORT

SUBJECT:  SEAWEED AS A SOCIAL SUPPORT

PURPOSE:  This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining to income assistance. 

ISSUE:  There is not enough regulation for the administering of diet pills for poverty prevention.

Background:

There exist in nature supplements which aim to replicate the feeling of being, “full.”  These supplements have been widely available online.  There are a plethora of products available to those on a tight budget.  We will explore three products which have similar methods of action when ingested.   First is psyllium fiber.  This item is best know for its ability to control cholesterol.  When a pill is ingested, gastric juices and liquid in the stomach cause the pill to expand.  Further, it encourages weight loss by increasing activity in the colon.  This product causes one to go to the bathroom and its also dehydrating.  The second product of interest is appesat.  This item is harvested along the French Atlantic coast.  This also expands in the stomach giving the individual the feeling of being, “full.”  It is best ingested 30 minutes before meals.  The pill will stretch the stomach wall which then triggers receptors telling the brain that he or she is full.  The last item of question is glucomannan.  This dietary fiber comes from the konjac plant.  It is packed with nutrients and is low on calories as well as fat free.  It can hold 100 times its water weight and it expands in the stomach reducing hunger. 

Considerations:

According to the National Council on Welfare, roughly 5% of the Canadian population (1.7 million aprox.) rely on social support programs and welfare programs.  Canada spends and allocates significant tax payer money to provide social support programs.  In 2016 – 2017 they allotted $48.1 Bn to elderly benefits, $22 Bn to children’s benefits, $20.7 Bn to employment insurance and $13.3 on Canada social transfer.  As it becomes evident these programs are a significant portion of the budget.  Canada’s unemployment rate in 2019 was 5.564.  The cost of living in modern day Canada is very expensive.  Canada ranks 26^th in a 2019 Numbeo cost of living survey.  This index measures the cost of living, considers things as groceries, restaurants, transport, rent or mortgage etc.  For example the cost of living in Vancouver is $40,700 annually.  For Calgary its $33,00.  And for Toronto $45,000.  For restaurants the average cost is $16.75.  Utilities $158.94.  Rent for one bedroom in a city center $1,338.97.  These are just estimates obtained from the web.  It becomes evident that what people receive in these social programs does not even come close to what they need to survive.  Therefore, policy makers should think outside the box to assist these recipients back into the community.  The main stakeholders for this matter are the government of Canada and the recipients of social support programs lile Income Assistance. 

Options: 

Option 1:  Offer seaweed or fiber pills and a multi vitamin as a supplement for meals

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Canadian budget is unsustainable.  For every dollar, there is approximately $1.75 debt.  Canada cannot continue to increase the rates as it has done in the past, otherwise it will end up in deficits.  Worst case scenario, the money inflates as the federal reserve increases the amount of bank notes in circulation.  There is no doubt that cost of living is rising and thus far the Ministry has responded with increased rates.  However, using the mentioned dietary supplements can save recipients of welfare a significant amount of monies which would in theory be similar to an increase in the rate.  The production and cultivation of mentioned pills are cheaper than actually increasing the rates given to each recipient.  The dietary supplement should however be administered with a multi vitamin as to keep up with the recommended food/ nutritional intake.  This option is very feasible as the pills are readily available.  Selecting this would also ensure that recipients can continue their job search while at the same time being mindful of their budget.  Thus, they would reallocate their funds to other parts that demand it.  Therefore, they would be more likely to receive equity.  This is the most sustainable option as the supplements are all natural.

Option 2:  Research

Since these dietary supplements are still new to people, perhaps the Ministry could do some research and development to determine which is most effective and safe for consumption.  This option is very feasible and it would allow the Ministry some time to effectively plan out what and how to execute such policy.  However, people, especially the recipients may experience pushback against the idea of supplementation as they would rather prefer an increase in their transfer payment. 

Option 3:  Status quo:  Not working which is why we have options. 

This option would continue to create a budget deficit which would then potentially cause inflation.  The current budget is unsustainable and the government must find ways to meet standard of living expectations in our modern world.  This is the most feasible option as nothing changes but it is the least responsible and the least sustainable as the economy crumbles. 

Recommendation:

Option two is recommended.