Context
Coalition Canada’s basic income advocates regularly meet with Members of Parliament and Senators from from all political parties.
During these meetings, parliamentarians raised important questions about basic income and how it would work, how much it would cost and how we would pay for it. Many MP’s requested that we put together an FAQ that summarizes the answers to the most frequently asked questions. The answers we provided are based on the current evidence.
The Government of Canada has stated that its priority is to ‘build back better’. But we can’t embark on this journey with a social safety net that is outdated, inefficient and leaves people falling through the cracks. The pandemic has shone a light on these gaps. Income security is now a major concern for most Canadians as we face 21st Century threats to our safety, security and economy from pandemics, climate change and rapid technological advancement, where stable full-time good paying jobs are rapidly being replaced by precarious employment.
A livable national basic income guarantee is a cornerstone for a new and improved social safety net, providing an income floor that ensures no one is left behind. It is what Canadians need and what our communities need, in order to transition from risk to resilience.
We call on our MPs and Senators from all parties to rebuild a social safety net for the 21st Century, with a basic income guarantee as a cornerstone of our social, ecological and economic recovery plans.
We hope our FAQ will help point you to the evidence on which we can base responsible and productive discussion and decisions about basic income. We encourage you to let us know any concerns, questions, and issues which you would like to discuss.