Protection is the primary function of the state. This remains ignored by the recent modifications to the welfare scheme. Lipson claims that state protection is a reflection of the citizens “desire for security of life and limb” (43); a force, which citizens can believe will safeguard and defend them. Presently, the state fails to protect the basic needs of its people.

Thirdly, the state’s duty to ensure order is also threatened by the negative changes to the welfare system. Citizens of a state expect a certain level of order. When such order is absent, a fundamental role of the state has been neglected. The new welfare legislation, which restricts income assistance to a two-year maximum, will disrupt order by increasing both poverty and crime. In 1999 over 4-million Canadians were living below the poverty line, and with decreasing government assistance this figure is expected to increase enormously (Dyck, 161). The fact is that “the minimum wage is even lower than welfare benefits” (Dyck, 162) therefore most people forced off welfare will most likely acquire a low paying job and become unable to attain sufficient funds to survive within society. It is a commonly held belief that the state tends to “help the wealthy by giving them more money (tax cuts) but help the poor by taking their money away (welfare cuts)” (“Cutting Welfare Rolls Causes Problems”, 1). The new welfare regulation is a perfect example of the government’s preferencial treatment of the elite. While the elite receive tax cuts the poor are left to fend for themselves. In reality many of these tax cuts create even more disorder within society. Research has proven that:

“Increased poverty and homelessness result in increased health costs such as hospital admissions, hospital emergency department use, prescription drug use, mental health services, ambulance services and fire and emergency response.” (“Cutting Welfare Rolls Causes Problems,” 2)

The decreasing income assistance also reveals the government’s inability to maintain stability for its citizens. In a society ruled by the people, it is essential for the state to provide stability and predictability for its citizens. By eliminating aid to the unemployed, the government increases the stress on and promotes instability of other social programs. Programs such as Goodwill, the Red Cross and shelters will be under enormous pressure to accommodate the individuals, which the government has

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