Canada’s Basic Income Movement Rallies around PEI’s campaign for a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI)
20 leading organizations that advocate for income security in Canada added their support to Coalition Canada’s pre-budget submission (2025) to the federal government.
Why PEI?
Because the Government of PEI has all-party support for a basic income guarantee policy, as recommended by its Special Committee on Poverty in PEI (2020). This support continues today.
PEI has a feasible and affordable model for implementing a province-wide guaranteed basic income (GBI) for those who need it. Coalition Canada facilitated the development of this model in collaboration with sitting provincial MLAs and former federal MPs, civil servants, PEI basic income advocates and six economists from across the country.
PEI’s Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) model
This GBI model is designed for PEI residents aged 18 to 64. It is jointly delivered through the tax system, and financed by the Government of Prince Edward Island and the Government of Canada. It is projected to reduce poverty rates in PEI from almost 10% to 2%, leaving no one living in deep poverty at a gross cost that is 40% lower than previous basic income models. And it is designed to work in concert with a robust social safety net, including minimum wage, disability supports, labour rights, human rights, reconciliation efforts, as well as health services and social supports.
Using a model similar to the one developed for PEI, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) updated their analysis in 2025 for a national basic income guarantee and also found substantial poverty reduction at a cost 40% lower than previous models.
Why a demonstration?
The outcomes of the project will help to transform our aged and inadequate social support system into one that addresses the needs of the current and future economy.
Several of Canada’s most important social policy initiatives started in one province before they were taken up nationally by the federal government – health care started in Saskatchewan and $10-dollar/day daycare started in Québec. All Canadians benefited from the work begun in each of these provinces.
The PEI demonstration will test the social and administrative outcomes of a guaranteed basic income. It is called a demonstration, because it would study the impacts on individuals and communities, as well as costs-savings to other public systems, including, health, justice, corrections and public safety. The timeframe of 5-7-years is identified for the purposes of research and evaluation. The intent is for the PEI project to be improved with study and made permanent.
Other basic income work across the country can and should move forward while the PEI project is being implemented and studied. These efforts will be informed by the findings emerging from the PEI project, beginning early in the study.
Other Provinces, Territories and Indigenous Peoples are Studying and Advocating for a GBI
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report contained two GBI Calls for Justice. Advocacy organizations in Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories are studying and advocating for their territorial governments to support a GBI.
Newfoundland and Labrador have implemented a targeted basic income for older working-aged adults (ages 60-64), and British Columbia has a targeted basic income-like program for youth aging out of care (ages 19-27). Québec has a revenu de base for people with disabilities who are unable to work. Advocates in Quebec have told us they are eagerly waiting for the PEI project to be implemented so they will be able to make a strong case to expand their basic income in Québec.
Please Support a GBI for PEI!
To support the GBI demonstration in PEI, please sign the House of Commons Petition asking for the implementation of a GBI in PEI, and share widely with your networks.