Submissions to the Government of Canada

Coalition Canada has teams comprised of Coalition members and sector experts who are developing topic-specific submissions. These submissions are used to reach out to Standing Committees and to respond to federal consultations. The Standing Committees we are currently focussed on include Finance; Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities; Health; Indigenous and Northern Affairs; Environment and Sustainable Development; Agriculture and Agri-Food; Canadian Heritage; Status of Women; and Justice and Human Rights.

Canada’s social safety net must be renewed to address the social and ecological challenges of the 21st Century, including climate change; energy transition; disruptive technologies; job loss and retraining; racism and discrimination; reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; vast income inequality; deep poverty; pandemics; the opioid crisis and food insecurity. 

Our submissions promote the implementation of a basic income guarantee and explore the intersectionality of basic income with major social, economic and environmental issues our country is facing.

Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance
  • May 29, 2023.  Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, has been sent to this Senate Standing Committee for further study. Coalition Canada’s submission demonstrates wide-spread support for a national Guaranteed Livable Basic Income (GLBI) and recommends that the Committee support the Bill and send it back to the Senate for third reading as soon as possible. Read more…
Submission to Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) a People-Centred Just Transition Consultation
  • April 27, 2022. Coalition Canada’s submission responds to questions posed in NRCan’s People-centred Just Transition: Discussion Paper through the lens of the Green Resilience Project, which was funded by Environment Canada. Coalition Canada was a members of the Steering Committee for the Green Resilience Project. Our submission to NRCan recommends that the link between climate change and income insecurity must be recognized in the principles underpinning the Just Transition. NRCan’s principle of being inclusive by design, addressing barriers and creating opportunities must begin by addressing the fundamental barrier of income insecurity faced by marginalized people. The barriers to fully participating in climate solutions are created by low income and precarious work, which leaves people with little time, money, or agency to participate in climate solutions. These barriers are particularly felt by young adults ages 18 to 30. Read more
Submission to the Finance Committee’s 2022 Pre-Budget Consultation
  • July 30, 2021. Coalition Canada’s pre-budget submission has four recommendations: (1) Recognize that indigenous people must be key players with the Federal Government in designing the Basic Income Guarantee in ways suited to the needs of their communities both on reserve and off. (2) Introduce a national Basic Income Guarantee using local costs of living, indexed annually and delivered monthly, to residents of Canada aged 18 to 64.  (3) Design a national Basic Income Guarantee program conditional only on residency in Canada that delivers the greatest support to working-aged adults with lowest incomes. (4) Engage with each province and territory to harmonize the income transfers they receive as the federal government assumes responsibility for income transfers to working-age adults. Read more
Submission to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development:
  • March 2021. A Basic Income Guarantee for a Just Transition to a Net-Zero Canada: This submission identifies income security as foundational for community resilience and a national basic income guarantee as the basis for a just transition to a net-zero Canada. Read more
Submission to the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs
  • March 2021. Basic Income Guarantee to End Food Insecurity: A Basic Income Guarantee, implemented through the tax system, is the most resource-effective, equitable, and comprehensive policy option to increase food security, reduce health inequities, and raise Canadians out of poverty, now and in the future. Read more
Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance
  • February 2021. A Basic Income Guarantee for Canada: Commitment to open, collaborative and evidence-based discussion needs to recognize the research that indicates that a BI can help protect the health and financial security of Canadians and the Canadian economy. This research attests to the effectiveness of a BI in alleviating income insecurity while addressing pragmatic considerations about financing and implementing an affordable national program. Read more...
Submission to the Standing Committee on Health
  • February 2021. Health Case for Basic Income: People living at low income experience higher levels of chronic disease, infectious disease, poor mental health and substance use disorders compared to those at higher income. They are also at risk of housing and food insecurity that exacerbates poor health outcomes. Read more...
Submission to the 2021 Federal Budget Consultation
  • February 2021. Budget 2021 Post Pandemic – A New Canada: A basic income guarantee in Budget 2021 will bring the needed resources to individuals and communities to successfully adapt and thrive in Canada’s post-pandemic future.  Citizens with a minimum income will have the security to seek training and education to achieve job security in the revived and new economy. These Canadians will secure their rights as citizens with dignity while contributing to their families.  Communities across Canada will find that a basic income guarantee successfully simulates their local economies and supports economic growth. Read more...
Submission to the House of Commons Committee on Recovery Plans from COVID-19
  • June 2020.Basic Income Guarantee: The Cornerstone of a Just Recovery: This brief advocates for a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) as a foundational policy for a just recovery. Income distribution is a key social determinant of health. This brief provides specific recommendations for a basic income that eliminates poverty in Canada and ensures all people, regardless of work status, are able to meet their basic needs and live in dignity. Read more...