News from the Region of Peel…
Basic Income Guarantee Pilot – Regional Council approved a report regarding the consideration of the Region of Peel as a pilot site for the Basic Income Guarantee study.
A Basic Income Guarantee is a transfer of funding from the government to residents to ensure their income does not fall below an amount needed to provide the basic necessities of life. Individuals and families would receive a monthly cheque from the government regardless of whether they are actively employed or seeking work. That cheque would replace employment insurance and many other types of social program benefits, e.g., child care benefits, housing subsidies, Ontario Works, as well as federal programs such as Old Age Security.
The benefits of the Basic Income Guarantee are many: increased financial capacity, improved physical and mental health, and enhanced quality of life for low- income people, including the working poor. Research indicates that the Basic Income Guarantee can lead to a more efficient delivery of social services, less intrusive social services, and a reduction in the stigma associated with income support, all of which are associated with better family functioning and improved child development outcomes.
For more information about social services in the Region of Peel, please visit:http://www.peelregion.ca/social-services/
I have long thought that the Basic Income Guarantee was a an appealing concept. It will be interesting to see how it works out in practice.