Julie Dzrerowicz, the Liberal MP for Davenport, will have her first hour of second reading for Bill C-273 this Monday, June 14^th. You can watch the debate through CPAC.

Bill C-273 requires Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to create a national strategy for a Guaranteed Basic Income, including potential partnerships with provinces to determine how best to structure and implement a Basic Income.

The bill includes support for dedicated Basic Income research into: how it would affect the efficiency of government; how it could support entrepreneurship, job creation, and civic action in a new economy; and how it would impact Canadians and our communities.

You can visit UBI Works to add your name to the petition supporting C-273.

On June 8th 2021, during the Senate Question Period, asked how the federal government is preparing to implement its commitment to guaranteed livable income in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.

Sen. Pate, who has been a strong supporter of basic income and Indigenous justice, asked the government what steps they were taking towards this goal. Marc Gold, the government's representative in the Senate, highlighted the Budget 2021 commitments of $2.2 billion over five years to implement concrete measures in his response.

The Parliamentary exchange can be found here.

On Monday June 28th at 7 pm ET, OBIN and Basic Income Canada Youth Network will be hosting a webinar about how to talk about basic income to politicians. The workshop will share some how-tos and best practices for advocating for a basic income with your elected officials - from how to get a meeting to key points to cover while you're there. The workshop will also feature special guest Ted McMeekin (former Ontario cabinet minister) to share with us a politician's perspective of what makes direct advocacy effective.

Click here to register - we hope to see you there!

Guelph Arts Council (GAC) called on the federal government to establish a guaranteed basic income for everyone.

“We agree that basic income is essentially a human right,” said GAC executive director Patti Broughton. “When people have their basic needs met and have a certain level of a modest financial security, it can really put people in a better place to improve their lives, to find work, to start new businesses, to resume or continue their art practices.”

On May Day, Saturday, May 1st at 2 pm, a panel speaking on basic income & the arts will take place. The panel was co-organized by Toronto's The Power Plant Contemporary Gallery website and CARFAC-Ontario (professional visual artists union).

The panel will be moderated by Jason Samilski, Managing Director of CARFAC Ontario, and will explore what a Basic Income Guarantee is, how it would benefit artists and all Canadians, and how artists are well-positioned to provide leadership.

Small Business Enterprises (SMEs) create most of the jobs in Canada. A basic income would provide a fallback for startup owners. Rob Evans is one entrepreneur who has done his research and is convinced that a basic income is good for the country. Further information can be found in THE CASE FOR BASIC INCOME FOR SMALL BUSINESSES section.

Liberal delegates to the party's policy convention have overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling for the establishment of a universal basic income (UBI) in Canada. It was adopted by 77 per cent of attendees at the virtual convention.

The Honourable Kim Pate, C.M. | L’honorable Kim Pate, C.M.

Senator for Ontario | Sénatrice pour l’Ontario

Statement

An Idea Whose Time Has Come: Implementing Guaranteed Livable Income Delivers on Anti-Poverty Promises at Net Zero Cost 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, WEDNESDAY APRIL 7, 2021—The federal Liberal government has committed to reducing poverty by 50% by 2030. A guaranteed livable income would achieve this by next year and a net zero cost with minimal impact on the labour market. 

Toronto Arts Council has joined the leaders of Canada’s largest municipal arts councils for the very first time to advocate on behalf of the artists and residents of Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg. You can read their strong statement of advocacy on their web page here.

In an announcement in the Globe and Mail on 20 March, the councils presented their case for a basic income for artists in Canada. It begins,

"As we come to terms with the one-year anniversary of COVID lockdowns, Canada’s arts community is focused on creating a brighter and more sustainable future. A future that takes advantage of the upheaval wrought by the pandemic, to repair the broken model outlined by Marsha Lederman on March 13 (Eight ways to fix the arts industry, postpandemic). To be effective, this repair will include provision of a Basic Income Guarantee."