The following report is by Immigration News Canada, reported on October 18th, with some minor additions:
The Guaranteed Livable Income Bill in the Senate (S-233) and a similar bill in the House of Commons (C-223) advocate for a universal basic income, or, to be precise, a guaranteed livable basic income for all the residents of Canada.
These bills call on the Canadian finance ministry to develop a national framework for a coast-to-coast guaranteed livable basic income program for anybody over the age of 17, including temporary workers, permanent residents, and refugee claimants.
On October 17, Parliamentarians discussed this universal basic income bill on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
What Exactly Is The Universal Basic Income Bill?
Although it is being interpreted as the Universal Basic Income bill, it is actually a guaranteed, livable basic income bill.
Difference between Universal Basic Income and Guaranteed Livable Income:
Universal basic income (UBI) means that everyone in a society, rich or poor, receives the same monthly payment. The government uses the tax system at the end of the year to balance the scales and collect that extra revenue from higher-income people who didn’t end up requiring it.
On the other hand, the Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) system talks about the basic income of all Canadians, allowing them to live with dignity. It is an income-contingent system, which means that monthly payments are only made to low-income families and individuals to help them get out of poverty and stand on their own.
The bill S-233/C-223 calls for the enactment of a ‘National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act’ that will give every person authorized to work in Canada access to a livable basic income to eradicate poverty.
This includes Canadian citizens, indigenous people, temporary workers, permanent residents, and refugee claimants.
The bill outlines that there should be a national framework to implement guaranteed livable basic income and must include the below-listed measures:
- to determine what constitutes a livable basic income for each region in Canada, taking into account the goods and services that are necessary to ensure that individuals can lead a dignified and healthy life, as well as the cost of those goods and services in accessible markets;
- to create national standards for health and social supports that complement a guaranteed basic income program and guide the implementation of such a program in every province;
- to ensure that participation in education, training or the labour market is not required in order to qualify for a guaranteed livable basic income; and
- to ensure that the implementation of a guaranteed livable basic income program does not result in a decrease in services or benefits meant to meet an individual’s exceptional needs related to health or disability.
Need For This Guaranteed Livable Income Bill
Sponsors of the Guaranteed Livable Basic Income bill expect it to go a long way toward eradicating poverty and improving income equality, health conditions, and educational outcomes.
Furthermore, this act would benefit individual families and communities and protect those who are most vulnerable in society while facilitating the transition to an economy that responds to the climate crisis and other major challenges.
This program, once implemented through a national framework, would ensure the respect, dignity, and security of all Canadians.
Background
Originally, these bills were introduced in 2021, both in the Senate and the House of Commons.
Senator Kim Pate introduced this bill as S-233 in the Senate, with the first reading taking place on December 16, 2021, and the second reading taking place on April 18, 2023.
Now this bill is in consideration in the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance with its most recent meeting today, [November 22nd], 2023.
Leah Gazan, a member of parliament from Winnipeg Centre, introduced a similar bill in the House of Commons on December 16, 2021.
How Much Could Be Guaranteed In A Basic Livable Income?
Because living costs vary across Canada, there is no set income level that defines poverty.
However, experts say that in general, advocates have discussed setting a guaranteed basic income of roughly $20,000 per year in 2021 for a single person between the ages of 18 and 64.
What Is The Guaranteed Basic Income?
The guaranteed basic income (GBI) is an income-based system, which means that monthly payments are exclusively made to lower-income families and individuals without any conditions.
The CERB program introduced during the pandemic was not, in fact, basic income since there were requirements: Canadians were only eligible if they had earned at least $5,000 in the previous year.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
I’ve reported on a number of instances proto-UBI being deployed and trialed around the world. Technically speaking, as the article points out, what Canada is proposing is guaranteed income; but we know that eventually it will turn into UBI.
Ultimately, in order to facilitate the guaranteed income or universal basic income on a wider and more controllable scale, the digital ID system will need to be in play, which then comes the CBDCs, and then the social credit not far thereafter.
[8] Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: [9] Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. [10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:8-12
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Hopefully we will be out of here before any of these systems come into play. There’s no good news anymore, only bad news, except the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel and the soon return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope it’s in 2024 or sooner.
Ӏt’s difficult to find knowledgeable peopⅼe about this topic, but you seem like
you know what you’re talking about! Thanks