*** Senator Kim Pate NEWS
Time to Make Guaranteed Livable Income a Reality
From the Office of Senator Kim Pate - 15 July 2020, Ottawa
Senator Kim Pate today released the attached written statement outlining a perspective on what a national guaranteed livable income program could look like and achieve as a feasible, costed and imminent reality.
This statement follows on a report of the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance recommending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that the “Government of Canada, with provinces, territories and Indigenous governments, give full, fair and priority consideration to a basic income guarantee.”
“The report of the National Finance Committee has reminded us of the human, social and economic importance of measuring how people are doing during this pandemic, especially those who have been disproportionately affected—women, children, institutionalized and elderly people, and essential workers,” said Senator Pate.
*** Read the English statement here.
*** Read the French statement here.
*** View the Media Release here.
For more information:
Emily Grant
Office of Senator Kim Pate
Tel: 613-995-9220
COVID-19: Relief in Times of Crisis
July 2020 - Senate of Canada / Sénat du Canada
The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance has just released their findings in a new interim report: COVID-19: Relief in Times of Crisis.
*** Download the report here.
Please note recommendations 1 and 3 from the Senate Finance Committee Interim report in the governments response to COVID.
RECOMMENDATION 1:
That the Government of Canada:
* clarify how it will help Canadians who remain unemployed or in need of support, including those who do not currently qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, when the benefit runs out; and
* provide declining benefits for the benefit based on income.
RECOMMENDATION 3 :
That the Government of Canada, with provinces, territories and Indigenous governments, give full, fair and priority consideration to a basic income guarantee.
Why a Guaranteed Livable Income?
- The VB604(1) Perspective -
From the Office of Senator Kim Pate - 12 June 2020
Canada is a resource-rich, culturally diverse, and human-rights-promoting democratic country. Despite this, far too many Canadians do not experience equal access to protections, resources or opportunities. The result is a less fair, just and cohesive society where efforts focus on reacting to harms and issues rather than on approaches that proactively prevent and work to eradicate inequality and discrimination.
We see a guaranteed livable income (GLI)—also known as a basic income guarantee—as one component of a robust, responsive and comprehensive economic, health and social wellness system, inclusive of universally accessible housing, child care, education, pharma, dental and mental health strategies. These measures must work together to reflect and promote the principles of public administration and accountability; universal accessibility; comprehensiveness with respect to meeting basic needs; and portability during short-term absences from one’s home province or territory.(2) read more...
Download the article.