Basic Income Waterloo Region is pleased to support this proposal, which presents a basic income model for a fully-funded 5-7-year demonstration program in PEI. The model would considerably reduce poverty for Islanders while being more cost-effective than previously presented models. Championed by public servants, politicians, and advocates from PEI and across the country, this report is the outcome of more than 2 years of collaboration and will help guide crucial conversations on poverty reduction and income assistance in PEI and across Canada.

Please read the media release describing the proposal and contact details here.

The report can be found at: https://www.gbireport.ca

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The highly touted GBI plan could be a model for other provinces, but it will take full cooperation between federal and provincial governments.

OTTAWA HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY

Why?  

First, any province would find it difficult to finance a GBI without assistance from the federal government. 

As demonstrated in the P.E.I. report, the proposed sources of tax financing within the province cover only about 25 per cent and 50 per cent of the gross and net costs of the GBI expenditure, respectively. 

Moreover, the British Columbia Expert Panel on Basic Income recommended against a province-only GBI partly because of cost. 

A short-lived Ontario basic income pilot project was set up in 2016 on the assumption that it would be an Ontario-alone program. Its premature termination was arguably partly based on the financial burden of a full-fledged GBI to the province. 

To read the full article, written by Robin Broadway & Kourtney Koebel (August 28, 2024) click here.