Although it isn’t known just yet what form it will eventually take or who will be eligible, a basic income “pilot project” is confirmed to be in the works for residents of Ontario. The measures, which could take effect later this year, would provide a certain amount of money to eligible citizens meant to cover monthly expenses without the added scrutiny and regulation typical of such government “handouts” in the past.
Some visions for the basic income program have it replacing welfare, unemployment insurance, and Old Age Security altogether; or, to put it more accurately, rolling them all up into one lump sum payment.
A similar program from the 1970s orchestrated in Manitoba found that, contrary to conservative doctrine on welfare and social safety nets, allowing the working poor to top off their incomes to acceptable, reasonable levels did not provide a disincentive for them to keep working, even though it included senior citizens and the disabled. In fact, any decrease in the workforce was owed to a proportional increase in the student population while poverty was virtually eliminated.
For political reasons, the experiment was shelved not long after it began. But other countries around the world have dabbled with a basic income—and succeeded.
According to Chris Weller of Tech Insider, Canada may be the perfect test subject for wide scale basic income adoption. “In a country like Canada, where healthcare and retirement savings are already highly socialized, it isn’t farfetched to think a steady income paid for by the taxpayers could roll out smoothly,” Weller notes. What do you think?
Could you use a little extra income?
I’d like to know the details of how this program will be implemented in Ontario. One thing a basic income would do is help the jobseekers have some money to cover transportation costs, food, job fair admissions (yes, they are not all free especially in major cities) or perhaps work/interview clothing. Not everyone in need of a support can fit the criteria or limited hours of community organizations that can offer clothing/transportation/job support programs. Having the choice to choose one’s own apparel or job opportunity and being able to get to the employer’s site is a very important matter of human dignity.
This program is likely to be implemented in the Toronto area. Finland is implementing such a program this year. The savings would be in no longer having to have the administrative infrastructure to run the myriad of existing programs instead trusting recipients to cover off their own expenses. With the question of income stability gone, there is much more incentive to get the skills and upgrade education to get out of the poverty trap. Some will abuse the program but I think overall there would be a higher standard of living for all and a more prosperous economy as more money gets out to those who will be spending it on needed housing, transportation, goods and services the have to forego currently.
I came to see what this was all about and I’m more confused. I have no idea what this is and I wish this post explained it better.
What I can guess is that people will get money from the government like welfare but it won’t be called welfare? If thats wrong then that just proves my point that this wasn’t well written.
From the article:
“…provide a certain amount of money to eligible citizens meant to cover monthly expenses without the added scrutiny and regulation typical of such government “handouts” in the past.
Some visions for the basic income program have it replacing welfare, unemployment insurance, and Old Age Security altogether;”
Makes sense to me!
If you support the basic income concept for all Canadians, you can show your support by signing the petition here: https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-211