All of us, as Canadians, are touched throughout our lives by some aspect of social welfare, either as recipients, donors, or taxpayers. But despite the importance of the social network in our country, there has been no single source of information about this critical component of our society. Even professionals in the field of social work or social services have not had a comprehensive volume addressing the myriad features of this critical societal structure. The Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work fills this need.
Over five hundred topics important to Canadian social work are covered, written by a highly diverse group of social workers covering all aspects of the field and all areas of the country. Practitioners, policy makers, academics, social advocates, researchers, students, and administrators present a rich overview of the complexity and diversity of social work and social welfare as it exists in Canada.
The principal finding from this project underscores the long-held perception that there is a Canadian model of social work that is unique and stands as a useful model to other countries. The Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work will be an important source of information, both to Canadians and to interested groups around the world.
The Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work is available in e-book version by subscription or from university and college libraries through the following vendors: Canadian Electronic Library, Ebrary, MyiLibrary, and Netlibrary.

Francis J. Turner taught full time at Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier, Memorial, Laurentian, and York Universities, as well as practising social work in the fields of child welfare, family counselling, and mental health, and publishing a range of written and edited texts. He is currently editor of the International Social Work Journal.

Francis J. Turner's profile page

The idea of compiling an encyclopedia of social work in Canada was ambitious, and the editor, Frank Turner (professor emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University), is likely one of the few social work academics in Canada who could have successfully brough this project to fruition. His goal was to produce an 'accessible resource that surveys the total spectrum of the field [of Canadian social welfare].' With more than 440 entries written by academics and practitioners from across the country, Encyclopeida of Canadian Social Work achieves that goal.

Diana Coholic, Canadian Book Review Annual, 2006, 2007 March

Over 200 social work professionals and scholars from all over Canada contributed to the more than 500 signed entries...An indispensable book for social work practitioners and scholars in Canada; it will be useful for their colleagues throughout the English-speaking world....Highly recommended.

J.E. Sheets, <i>CHOICE</i>, 2006 March