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e-2836 (Social affairs and equality)

E-petition
Initiated by Alysia Boudreau from Nanaimo, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • A Guaranteed Liveable Income (GLI) would guarantee a liveable monthly income to every Canadian with a social insurance number;
  • A GLI would establish an income floor below which no Canadian could fall, and reflect regional differences in the cost of living;
  • A GLI would replace the current patchwork of federal and provincial income assistance programs with a single, universal, cash benefit;
  • A GLI would be progressively taxed back based on income level;
  • A GLI would be administered through the existing tax system and require no means testing, thereby dramatically reducing federal and provincial administration costs;
  • A GLI would reduce poverty, thereby reducing the demand on social services, law enforcement and health care, resulting in additional cost savings for government and taxpayers; and
  • A GLI would provide a financial safety net for all Canadians, especially through major economic shifts, pandemics, natural disasters, or industry automation.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to implement a GLI for all Canadians.

Response by the Minister of Seniors

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYK

This is a challenging time for all Canadians, and the Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive actions to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important to acknowledge that income security is a shared responsibility across different levels of government. As such, the federal Government recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges.

This petition calls for the implementation of a Guaranteed Livable Income, which can be viewed as equivalent to a basic income. The Government of Canada already has ongoing programs with features of a partial basic income, such as the Canada Child Benefit for families with children, and the Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors. These and other initiatives have contributed to progress on lifting Canadians out of poverty. These programs exist alongside provincial and territorial programs, including those that deliver social assistance.

Moreover, the Government of Canada recently made several commitments that will help to address poverty. In the Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced key early investments to lay the groundwork for a Canada-wide child care system, in partnership with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples. The Government is also investing in housing; carrying out a campaign to create jobs; supporting initiatives to improve food security; and bringing forward a new benefit and employment strategy for Canadians with disabilities. 

As we move towards economic recovery, the Government is continuing to explore a variety of potential shorter and longer-term policy responses that could address the ongoing needs of Canadians. 

Open for signature
September 15, 2020, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
December 14, 2020, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Paul Manly (Nanaimo—Ladysmith)
March 8, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00620)
Government response tabled
April 21, 2021
Photo - Paul Manly
Nanaimo—Ladysmith
Green Party Caucus
British Columbia
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