In the years from 1945 to 1980 it is generally asserted that the Canadian government was engaged in the construction of a Keynesian welfare state. However, at the same time, these reforms, products of the dominant culture itself, acted to reinforce and institutionalize social and class structure. This paper analyzes the ways in which Canadian social welfare legislation has reinforced the concept of separate spheres and thus treated women disadvantageously. 7 pgs. Bibliography lists 2 sources.