NEWS RELEASE - 16 July 2020

Today, artists, writers, technicians and performers are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to create a permanent basic income guarantee.

A Public Letter from the Arts Community for a Basic Income Guarantee

11 July 2020 - Winnipeg Free Press

Basic Income Manitoba invited secondary and post-secondary students from across the province to submit essays addressing the question of “What would a basic income mean to me?”  Winners in each category received cash prizes and have had their essays published by the Winnipeg Free Press.

*** Read the winning essays here.

See more info on Youth and Basic Income here.

Webinar: 9 July 2020,  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, EDT

Register for the Webinar - scroll down to the bottom of the information page

Co-sponsored by Social Canada and The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

For many years, Basic Income was seen to be a niche political issue with sparse support among major political figures. However, the Basic Income Canada Network (BICN) and advocates in other countries have been tireless in its pursuit. With reported successes in the Ontario Basic Income Pilot and growth of electoral support across North America galvanized by leaders like Andrew Yang, support has expanded. In Canada, several senators and business leaders have aligned themselves behind the concept. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the federal government’s numerous support programs, the case for basic income continues to grow. But many models have been advanced, causing some confusion as to its meaning and parameters. Join us as we discuss a detailed proposal advanced by BICN, as well as the merits and pitfalls of a Basic Income approach to Canadian income security.

24 June 2020 - BBC

By David Cox

Amid wide unemployment during Covid-19, basic income schemes have gained fresh relevance. A successful Canadian scheme that's over four decades old could provide a road map for others.

3 July 2020 - Ottawa Citizen

Article written by Chloe Halpenny

In April, Conservative Sen. Claude Carignan made a comment in the red chamber that should make young people from coast-to-coast-to-coast furious.

Pointing to the supposed work disincentives of benefits such as the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) or The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the senator described a scenario in which students did not pursue summer jobs, but were instead “hanging out by the pool, most likely at their parents’ house.”

For Immediate Release - 17 June 2020

BASIC INCOME GOES VIRAL: ESSENTIAL FOR PANDEMIC RECOVERY, SAYS NEW REPORT

Work is not enough to guarantee Canadians basic security. It never was. The only way to deal with this harsh reality is for one of the world’s richest countries to guarantee a basic livable income to everyone, regardless of employment status. This is a key conclusion from the report Rethinking Work and Income Security in the 21st Century: The Case for Basic Income and Work.

For Immediate Release - 17 June 2020

Work is not enough to guarantee Canadians basic security. It never was. The only way to deal with this harsh reality is for one of the world’s richest countries to guarantee a basic livable income to everyone, regardless of employment status. This is a key conclusion from the report Rethinking Work and Income Security in the 21st Century: The case for Basic Income and Work.

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET

Speakers: Tracy Smith-Carrier, Josephine Grey & Evelyn Forget

Moderator: Laura Cattari

Hosted by: The Tamarack Institute

Millions have been relying on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) these past few months. This has been an extraordinary response to an extraordinary time. But people concerned about fighting poverty are looking to draw lessons from the pandemic for the future. Discussion is growing around the creation of a universal basic income for Canadians.