by Josh Martin | Feb 28, 2016 | News
In the wake of numerous Canadian groups, including the Canadian Medical Association, espousing support for a basic income, Ontario has taken a definitive step forward in committing to studying the idea further by making a budget commitment to undertake a basic income pilot project. While basic income support has been rising in Canada over the past few years, this represents a major breakthrough for the basic income cause in Canada.
According to the full text of the budget, which can be found in this article, the specific text related to the basic income pilot is as follows:
In the 2015 Budget, Ontario introduced a consultation on social assistance rate restructuring. Through ongoing discussions, there emerged a clear consensus on the need to move policy considerations beyond social assistance rates to include aspects of the broader income security system.
As a result, this year, the government will continue to engage with delivery partners, clients and sector advocates to chart the path to comprehensive reform that effectively reduces poverty, supports people in their efforts to participate in the economy, and provides human services in a way that makes sense to the people who need them. This process will look across government and at the broader income security landscape to ensure that various existing and future programs work together to help Ontarians. The government will also engage with First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities to ensure that the path forward recognizes unique challenges on- and off-reserve and helps all Ontarians live a better life.
One area of research that will inform the path to comprehensive reform will be the evaluation of a Basic Income pilot. The pilot project will test a growing view at home and abroad that a basic income could build on the success of minimum wage policies and increases in child benefits by providing more consistent and predictable support in the context of today’s dynamic labour market. The pilot would also test whether a basic income would provide a more efficient way of delivering income support, strengthen the attachment to the labour force, and achieve savings in other areas, such as health care and housing supports. The government will work with communities, researchers and other stakeholders in 2016 to determine how best to design and implement a Basic Income pilot.”
While details of the pilot are still forthcoming, the news of a provincial government committing to a pilot is an exciting development for the future of a basic income in Canada.
by Josh Martin | Feb 27, 2016 | News
Professors Jurgen De Wispelaere and Antti Halmetoja at the University of Tampere in Finland have created a university course titled, “Universal Basic Income: New Avenues in Social Welfare Policy.” The course will be taught in English and enrollment is open until 29 February with lectures scheduled once a week from 7 March to 16 May.
The website for the course lists the following as the course’s learning outcomes:
“In this course students learn to critically examine the arguments in favour and against basic income and to place the basic income model within the broader context of challenges to and reform of the modern welfare state. Students will also learn to differentiate different basic income models, and to understand the practical and political challenges that emerge when moving from a social idea to a social policy. Students will be expected to critically engage with a key aspect of the basic income debate, conduct personal research to come to a better understanding of the problem and start to formulate a solution to the challenge identified. Throughout this course students will gain understanding of the practical problems of social policy design and implementation.”
De Wispelaere has said that each lecture will be recorded and posted online.
by Josh Martin | Feb 26, 2016 | News
As basic income experiments and pilots continue to garner discussions in countries all around the world, it appears the state of Vermont in the United States is hoping to join the ranks of those interested in conducting further research on the idea.
Representative Susan Davis has submitted bill H.689 to the Vermont General Assembly that calls upon Vermont to establish a Universal Basic Income Commission to evaluate the possible future of a basic income in Vermont. Submitting the bill through the House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs on January 27, Davis hopes the new Universal Basic Income Commission will study and prepare an analysis of the idea in Vermont, including possible funding plans.
The bill is currently in committee, but it calls upon the state government to enact the legislation by July 1, 2016.
To learn more, click here to view the Vermont General Assembly website page for the bill.
by Josh Martin | Jan 31, 2016 | News
The think-tank RSA has come out in support of giving every British citizen £3,692 a year (£71 a week) as a way to reduce poverty traps caused by the benefit system while also improving fairness. Stone’s article explains the ideological diversity of basic income supporters from the Green party to Milton Friedman, but he also includes some basic income naysayers like Declan Gaffney, who believes a basic income would promote worklessness.
Jon Stone, “Scrap benefits system and bring in universal ‘citizens wage’ basic income for everyone, think-tank recommends”, The Independent, 17 December 2015.
by Josh Martin | Jan 27, 2016 | News
This page houses a plethora of information on universal basic income, separated into many different categories like “Literature and Papers”, “Programs and Pilot Studies”, and “Advocates”.
Bruno5, “Basic Income”, Pearltrees, January 2016.
