A Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) ensures everyone an income sufficient to meet basic needs and live with dignity, regardless of work status.
Coalition Canada advocates for a Basic Income Guarantee, an income floor, that is sufficient to significantly reduce poverty and enables everyone to live with dignity, regardless of work or relationship status.
Our current social assistance programs for working-age adults (welfare) are insufficient, punitive and debasing of human dignity. If Canada is to reduce poverty and build a healthy, resilient economy for people and the planet, we need to do better.
A basic income provides a foundation of stability and security, which can generate a measure of confidence and trust in government that leads to good outcomes.
Coalition Canada respects the rights of Indigenous people to determine whether a basic income is delivered in their communities and, if so, what principles should govern it, what form it will take and how it will be implemented.
Our 6 principles
for a Basic Income Guarantee
Coalition Canada’s principles for a Basic Income Guarantee align with those for a just recovery and must be sufficient to provide recipients with a livable income.
1.
Universally accessible
Available to everyone when needed.
2.
Unconditional
Subject only to residency and income, regardless of work or relationship status.
3.
Sufficient
To live in dignity and security. Enough to achieve physical, mental and social well-being and to participate fully in the community. It should be enhanced for individuals with particular needs and vulnerabilities and indexed to the cost of living.
4.
Respects Autonomy
Payable to individuals to be used at their sole discretion. Free of stigma and oversight. Portable to ensure free movement within Canada.
5.
Complements social services
Part of a broad social safety net of universal supports and services. People need BOTH income security and robust public services. It does not replace livable minimum wage legislation or any other labour rights, laws and regulations. It leaves no one worse off as a result of receiving a basic income.
6.
Reliable
Delivered monthly or bi-weekly. Responsive to changing circumstances. Gradually reduced as income increases.
For more information see the Consensus Statement developed by the National Forum on Basic Income in 2023.