By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A motion brought forward asking Chatham-Kent council to support a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) program for Canada prompted some big discussion at a recent council meeting.
Ultimately, council voted 15-3 to support a resolution advocating for a minimum secure income for Canadians over the age of 17 to help address the many health and societal problems resulting from poverty and income inequality.
Brought forward by Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor, the lengthy motion builds on the work of the Chatham-Kent Food Policy Council that indicates support is necessary to reduce household food insecurity. Heavily associated with negative health outcomes, food insecurity is experienced by one-in-five households in Chatham-Kent.
In speaking to the motion, McGregor said the Senate is currently examining Bill 33. Introduced in 2012, the bill is intended to create a national framework to guarantee a “livable basic income.
“I believe that we can afford a guaranteed basic income,” McGregor told council. “What we can’t afford is the health costs and continually abandoning people to poverty and homelessness.”
The BIG program could build on other support programs that are in place, she said, as such a program would allow those affected to “fully engage in society.”
Currently, single people on Ontario Works receive $733 a month, with $390 of that designated for rent costs.
The Basic Income Program was piloted in Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Lindsay in Ontario, and was very successful, McGregor said, before ending because of Covid.
However, North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville said that while she appreciates the spirit of the motion, she couldn’t get behind it because of Canada’s federal debt.
“Right now, our federal debt is over $1 trillion,” Jubenville said, questioning whether the government is to print or borrow more money, noting a BIG program will lead to devaluation of the Canadian dollar, further taxation and a shrinking labour force.
Instead, said Jubenville, there should be programs to get people out working instead of free handouts.
“Universal basic income is a risky and relatively unknown experiment which could have a large and negative impact on our society and our economy,” Jubenville stated.
South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle said he couldn’t support a basic income program and that current social assistance programs should be expanded instead, pointing out that abuse of Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) funding made it difficult for employers to find workers.
“The amount of small business owners I talked to that couldn’t find workers, because they were sitting at home on CERB, on the free money they were getting is crazy,” Doyle stressed, noting increased taxation could push more people into homelessness.
Following further discussion, C-K Mayor Darrin Canniff stressed that council was supporting a concept, not a detailed request.
In her comments, West Kent Coun. Melissa Harrigan said council needed to support the C-K Food Policy Council’s recommendation, noting many are in need of greater supports.
“We’re here in Chatham-Kent and we need to make decisions about our neighbours in Chatham-Kent,” Harrigan added, noting partisan politics needed to be set aside for this decision.
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor also voiced support, saying people are currently people “legislated into poverty” in Ontario.
“We need government to look at solutions to lift people out of poverty,” McGregor said, noting that as society we need to “do better.”
East Kent Coun. Morena McDonald also offered her support for the basic income, pointing out that Canada already funds similar programs such as old age security and the child tax credit with both providing “incredible benefit.”
Chatham Coun. Amy Finn said she supports the measure as so many face tough decisions such as whether to pay rent or buy food, often driven by life circumstances beyond their control.
“It’s a great idea,” Finn said. “It gives some people some pride in their life and may change somebody’s life.”
