What is Basic Income?

A government payment that ensures everyone has enough income to meet basic needs. It is delivered only to those who need it, regardless of their work status.

Learn more about basic income and take action to support it.

Why it Matters

Poverty affects all of us through increased healthcare costs, housing instability, and pressure on community services.

Basic income has been shown to:

• Improve physical and mental health
• Increase financial stability
• Support participation in work, education, and caregiving
• Reduce the cost of poverty (crime, healthcare, lost productivity)
• Stimulate the local economy

It’s not just about supporting individuals. It benefits communities as a whole.

Who Benefits?

Behind every statistic are real people navigating difficult circumstances.

Basic income can mean:

• Being able to afford stable housing
• Reducing stress and improving health and quality of life
• Having the opportunity to pursue education or care for family

Stories like these are brought to life in Living Below the Line, a powerful, community-created play turned film that shares real experiences of poverty in Canada. Co-created with individuals in Waterloo Region, it explores stigma, trauma, systemic barriers, and resilience through lived experience.

Watch and learn more: Living Below the Line

Is Basic Income a Credible Solution?

Basic income is being explored and implemented in different ways around the world.

Examples include:

• Basic income initiatives in South Korea
• Ireland’s basic income for artists
• The Marshall Islands’ permanent basic income

These examples show that basic income is not just an idea. It’s already happening!

How can I help?

There are many ways to support the movement for basic income:

• Learn more
• Talk to your friends, family, and elected representatives
• Attend an event
• Sign up for updates
• Sign a petition
• Volunteer with us!