Ottawa church advocating for universal basic income as federal bills consider the issue
A concept that aims to lift people out of poverty is growing at Ottawa’s Rideau Park United Church.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The social action and outreach committee at the church has been raising awareness for universal basic income, a policy that would give a fixed amount to everybody, every month, regardless of their income.
Supporters of the policy say it can alleviate the red tape from programs such as welfare and employment insurance.
"Once when got out of the pandemic, prices were rising, housing was becoming unaffordable, food banks were being overwhelmed – we’re seeing it everyday," said Lorraine Busby, a member of the church's social action and outreach committee.
“Basic income is a response to poverty."
The support for basic income with the United Church of Canada goes back decades.
The concept has gained traction in Canada in recent months as a pair of federal bills that would lay the ground work for a new program to provide everyone over the age of 17 a guaranteed livable income are being considered.
Bill S-233 passed second reading in the Senate and Bill C-223 was debated in the House of Commons this week.
"It’s paid to those who need it regardless of their residency status and on a reliable basis so they can budget with that and live a life of dignity," said Wil Robertson, co-chair of Basic Income Ottawa.
A universal basic income pilot project was briefly introduced in Ontario, before it was cut by the Progressive Conservatives shortly after coming to power in 2018.
"A lot of folks particularly with the pilot here, started a business or went back to school or retrained to go into another job, so there’s a lot of really positive impacts here," said Robertson.
But critics say such a program just isn’t realistic.
"We’ve seen the PBO (Parliamentary Budget Office) put out a report saying it could cost anywhere from $30 to $70 billion in the first year," said Gage Haubrich, Prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
"We don’t think it’s something the federal government can afford right now. It would come back and end up with increased taxes and cost to taxpayers."
The church has held a number of information sessions to raise awareness of the issue and say they plan to send members of their delegation to a universal basic income forum later this month.
"We are looking to encourage politicians at all levels of government to support a basic income," Busby said.
"We need funding at the federal level, but then we need it to coordinate at the provincial level because the services flow through housing and transportation and social supports."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lecce out as education minister in major Ontario government cabinet shuffle
Stephen Lecce is out as education minister in a major shuffle of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's cabinet. Lecce, who has served in the role since 2019, will now serve as energy and electrification minister in a swap with Todd Smith.
Search suspended for overdue mountaineers near Squamish, B.C.
Rescue crews have suspended the search for three mountaineers who failed to return from a difficult climb near Squamish, B.C., on Friday.
Ont. powerlifter battles back after catching mild cold that turned into rare and deadly disease
An Ontario powerlifter caught a mild cold last year. Six days later, he was fighting for his life in the ICU.
'Wheel of Fortune': Vanna White bids an emotional goodbye to Pat Sajak
Ahead of Pat Sajak's final episode as the host of 'Wheel of Fortune,' Vanna White paid an emotional tribute to her co-host of more than 40 years.
2 dead after crash at private motorsports park in B.C.'s Okanagan
Two people are dead after a crash at a motorsports park in B.C.'s Okanagan on Wednesday, according to the RCMP.
Ontario woman forced to pay $23K medical bill after heart attack abroad despite travel insurance
An Ontario woman who took a trip to the Cayman Islands in January was hospitalized after a heart attack and even though she had travel medical insurance, she was told she needed to pay the hospital bill herself.
Over 1.2 million rechargeable lights are under recall for fire hazards, following one reported death
More than 1.2 million rechargeable lights are under recall in Canada and the U.S. following a report of one consumer died as the result of a fire.
Canadians more likely to prefer someone other than Trudeau lead Liberals in next election: Nanos
Canadians are three times more likely to prefer someone other than Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to lead the Liberals in the next election, a new Nanos Research survey for CTV News shows.
Montreal police disperse McGill pro-Palestinian protesters with tear gas
Montreal police used tear gas to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters at McGill university after they barricaded themselves in the administration building as part of a "global call to action."