Social Workers Week is coming up later this month, and this year in Quebec, there’s one issue that will likely be top-of-mind for many people. In the province, the Liberal government has introduced Bill 70, which would cut welfare payments for first-time applicants. The government says it’s meant to encourage people to rely less on social aid and seek out jobs or further training, but many, including those working with L’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (Order of Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists), believe all that does is put up barriers between vulnerable members of society and services that will help them be productive members of the workforce (like mental health counseling).

To bring attention to the issue, OTSTCFQ and agency Camden enlisted street artist 4-Tin to create a mural for this year’s Social Workers Week that also drew attention to the issue. The mural, which uses a style reminiscent of the protest posters labour movements and unions have used throughout history, shows that while arms clothed in suits and buttoned shirts have something to grab onto, the arm that is already naked isn’t being given much of a chance, try as it might, to pull itself to the same level.

[iframe_youtube video = “W-WB_j9F0TA”]

Credits:

Brand: OTSTCFQ (Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec)
Agency: Camden