43rd Parliament291Not answered before dissolutionAugust 15, 2021e-2555e-2555 (Social affairs and equality)NealJenningsPeterJulianNew Westminster—BurnabyNDPBCMay 26, 2020, at 9:35 a.m. (EDT)July 25, 2020, at 9:35 a.m. (EDT)June 3, 2021July 27, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Providing a basic income to residents has been shown in tests around the world to improve social outcomes and equity;The government has introduced measures to provide income to those who cannot work due to the COVID-19 crisis;Canada already provides a universal basic income to seniors, the Old Age Security (OAS);Canada also provides other payments such as Employment Insurance (EI), and similar provincial benefits;Canada currently provides low-income residents with tax credits such as the GST/HST credit and Canada workers benefit rather than ensuring no Canadian resident lives in poverty;Canada is facing an economic climate that could lead to substantial permanent job losses, induced not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by automation, as well as the transition away from fossil fuels;Lack of income is a leading contributor to Canada's housing and mental health crises; andThe OAS is an existing benefit known to work, easy to administer, taxable, means-tested (through the Part I.2 tax clawback), and includes guaranteed income through the Guaranteed Income Supplement.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to extend, on a permanent basis, the OAS to all Canadian residents aged 18 or over, being the age at which the Canada Child Benefit expires. The new All Age Security should be fixed annually at a dollar amount that exceeds the poverty income level, while retaining the existing taxation and clawback rules for the OAS. This change would allow the elimination of EI, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, and other similar programs.Guaranteed annual income43rd Parliament223Government response tabledApril 21, 2021e-2836e-2836 (Social affairs and equality)AlysiaBoudreauPaulManlyNanaimo—LadysmithGreen PartyBCSeptember 15, 2020, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)December 14, 2020, at 3:14 p.m. (EDT)March 8, 2021April 21, 2021December 14, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>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; andA 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 SeniorsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThis 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. 
Guaranteed annual income
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJanuary 25, 2021e-2826e-2826 (Social affairs and equality)TimRichterJennyKwanVancouver EastNDPBCSeptember 8, 2020, at 10:14 a.m. (EDT)October 8, 2020, at 10:14 a.m. (EDT)November 20, 2020January 25, 2021October 8, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Canada has the opportunity to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic;We cannot go back to a normal where over 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness every year and 1.7 million households are living in substandard or unaffordable housing;72% of Canadians support action to end homelessness and 84% support housing investment as economic stimulus;The federal government's current target to reduce chronic homelessness by 50% within 10 years is not ambitious enough;The government has yet to appoint the National Housing Council and the Housing Advocate, preventing accountability and oversight; andThe plan in Recovery for All would end homelessness, create over 500,000 jobs and would save taxpayers $18 billion.We, the undersigned, supporters of adequate housing in Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to adopt the Recovery for All plan put forward by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, which includes:1. Committing to the elimination of homelessness (with timelines and targets) and expanding federal investment in community-based homelessness responses;2. Meaningfully implementing the right to housing to resolve inequities and systemic/structural breakdowns that contribute to homelessness and housing need;3. Building a minimum of 370,000 new units of supportive and affordable housing and developing a new Homelessness Housing Benefit;4. Stopping the loss of affordable rental housing to financialization by limiting purchases of distressed housing by large capital funds and supporting non-profit and public sector acquisition;5. Putting in place a national guaranteed minimum income; and6. Implementing an Indigenous led, urban, rural and Northern Indigenous housing strategy.
Response by the Minister of Families, Children and Social DevelopmentSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): ADAM VAUGHAN1. Reaching HomeReaching Home is part of the National Housing Strategy (NHS) — a 10-year, $55+ billion plan to lift thousands of Canadians out of housing need. As part of the NHS, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $2.2 billion over 10 years to tackle homelessness, and support a broader NHS objective of reducing chronic homelessness by 50% by 2027-28.On April 1, 2019, the Government of Canada launched Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. By 2021–2022, Reaching Home annual investments will double compared to 2015–16.Reaching Home maintains a community-based approach, delivering funding directly to municipalities and local service providers. The program provides direct financial support to Designated Communities (urban centres), as well as Indigenous and rural and remote communities across Canada to support their efforts in addressing homelessness. Following a comprehensive community planning process, communities determine their own priorities, and develop local solutions.Under Reaching Home, the Government of Canada is working with communities to develop and deliver community plans with clear outcomes. To support the outcomes-based approach, communities have been given more flexibility to address local needs and priorities. To track the progress made by communities in their effort to prevent and reduce homelessness, communities will be asked to report publicly on community-wide outcomes.Designated Communities are required to implement Coordinated Access by March 31, 2022. The goal of Coordinated Access is to help communities achieve community-wide outcomes by ensuring fairness, prioritizing people most in need of assistance, and matching individuals to appropriate housing and services in a more streamlined and coordinated way. Reaching Home provides dedicated funding and technical support to designated communities to implement Coordinated Access.Reaching Home maintains three regional funding streams. Funding under each is delivered through regionally-managed contribution agreements with Community Entities:Designated Communities: This stream funds projects in urban centres identified as having a significant problem with homelessness.Rural and Remote Homelessness: This stream funds projects in non-designated communities in rural and remote areas of the country.Indigenous Homelessness: This stream provides funding, primarily targeted to Indigenous service providers, to address the specific needs of Indigenous people living off-reserve who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.In addition to the three streams above, Reaching Home introduced three new funding streams:Distinctions-based and Modern Treaty Holder funding: This funding is for priorities determined in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners. A portion of this funding has been earmarked for modern treaty holders.Territorial Homelessness: This stream provides funding to communities in the territories to address the unique challenges in the North.Community Capacity and Innovation: This stream supports communities with implementation of coordinated access systems and the provision of training and technical assistance, as well as supports funding for innovative solutions to homelessness.Recognizing that Indigenous people are overrepresented among Canada’s homelessness population, Reaching Home increased investments dedicated to addressing Indigenous homelessness. The Government of Canada is engaging with Indigenous partners to develop approaches to prevent and reduce Indigenous homelessness.Through Reaching Home, the Government of Canada aims to place close to 160,000 people into more stable housing and achieve tangible results for Canadians at risk of or experiencing homelessness.   In 2017, the government announced that it would reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent. Recognizing the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, the federal government is committed to doing more. On September 23, 2020, the Speech from the Throne committed to, “entirely eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada.”2. COVID-19 responseIndividuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness are at heightened risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, increased need for transience, and fewer opportunities to self-isolate.  At the outset of the pandemic, the Government of Canada acted quickly to provide needed support to the homeless-serving sector. Through Reaching Home, the Government provided additional funding to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.In late March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, $15 million was provided through Reaching Home to seven communities with the largest shelter capacity: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Peel Region.Building on this immediate support, on March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada announced an additional $157.5 million for Reaching Home to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. With the help of emergency funding for the homelessness sector, communities have taken urgent action to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among those experiencing homelessness including efforts to reduce overcrowding in shelters, establish isolation spaces and place individuals in hotels/motels.To support communities in their efforts to continue to avoid outbreaks and prepare for future waves, the Government of Canada announced in September 2020 an additional $236.7 million through Reaching Home for 2020-21. In addition to extending emergency measures, this investment will support communities in shifting focus towards housing stability, including ensuring those who have been temporarily housed transition to more stable housing, and providing more targeted support to individuals at risk of losing housing in response to an expected increase in homelessness due to the economic downturn.Most recently, as part of the Fall Economic Statement 2020, the Government announced that it will provide an additional funding of $299.4 million in 2021-22 through Reaching Home to enable physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and other emergency health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in shelters. Funding will also help prevent at-risk Canadians from becoming homeless by supporting targeted interventions that enable people to stay housed. Some examples of such interventions may include, paying rent/utility arrears, damage deposits, first/last month’s rent and rent supplements, as well as non-financial measures such as landlord mediation services and increasing the number of case managers who connect people to the supports they need to maintain their housing.5. Putting in place a national guaranteed minimum income It is important to acknowledge that income security is a shared jurisdiction across different orders of government. As such, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges.Some Government of Canada initiatives have many of the features of a partial basic income for specific groups such as families and seniors. This includes the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), which provides substantial income support to families raising children. The CCB is tax-free and income-based and provides more support to families who need help the most. The CCB helps almost 3.7 million families and about 6.5 million children, putting about $24 billion annually, tax-free, in the hands of families. In the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government committed to provide temporary support of up to $1,200 in 2021 for each child under the age of six for families entitled to the Canada Child Benefit to help families with young children through the pandemic.For Canadian seniors, the Old Age Security (OAS) program plays a significant role in providing income security. OAS benefits are intended to provide partial income security for seniors in recognition of the contributions that they have made to Canadian society and the economy. OAS pensioners who receive little or no income, other than the OAS pension, are eligible for additional assistance through the Guaranteed Income Supplement.In addition, existing programs, such as the Canada Workers Benefit and Employment Insurance, provide income supports for low-income individuals with labour market attachment or those with insurable employment. These programs exist alongside provincial and territorial social assistance programs.The Government of Canada recently made a number of commitments that will help to address poverty. For example, the Government is laying the groundwork for a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System; continuing to invest in housing so that more people have a safe and affordable place to call home; carrying out a campaign to create jobs; supporting initiatives to improve food security that will help people put nutritious food on their tables; and bringing forward a new benefit and employment strategy for Canadians with disabilities. 
Response by the Minister of Families, Children and Social DevelopmentSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Adam VaughanThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners from Vancouver East for sharing their views on the importance of affordable housing. Canadians need and deserve housing that is safe, adequate and affordable. Affordable housing is a cornerstone of inclusive communities as it helps to strengthen the middle class and grow the economy. This is why we launched Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy in November 2017, a $55+ billion investment over 10 years that will give more people a place to call home. The Strategy focuses on meeting the distinct housing needs of our most vulnerable populations.  In the spring of 2019, our Government also passed the National Housing Strategy Act into law. The NHS Act binds future governments to developing a national housing strategy, works towards progressively advancing the right to adequate housing, and requires regular reporting on its progress. The introduction of the NHS Act is a big step forward, as it also provides important opportunities for persons in housing need or homelessness and communities affected by systemic housing issues to have their voices heard through the Federal Housing Advocate and the National Housing Council. The Advocate will monitor the implementation of the housing policy and progress against the NHS. The Notice of Opportunity for the Federal Housing Advocate position was posted on November 22, 2020 and The Advocate will be appointed in 2021. The Council will provide advice to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, including on the effectiveness of the National Housing Strategy, with the aim of improving housing outcomes. The nominations of the members were announced on November 22, 2020. We are working toward this through the NHS’s many complimentary initiatives, like the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, the Rental Construction Financing initiative, the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund and the Rapid Housing Initiative. Through initiatives like this, the National Housing Strategy will create 125,000 new housing units, repair another 300,000 units, and will remove or reduce housing need for as many as 530,000 households. It will also protect 385,000 community housing units, expand the stock by another 55,000 units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50% by 2028. An overview of the results can be found here: https://www.placetocallhome.ca/progress-on-the-national-housing-strategy. The Strategy supports the construction of affordable rental housing through initiatives such as the Rapid Housing Initiative and the Rental Construction Financing Initiative. This initiative encourages a stable supply of affordable rental housing across the country for families struggling in expensive housing markets. To date, the Rental Construction Financing Initiative has committed to the creation of 14 200 affordable rental units, with an additional $12 billion in funding proposed in the Government’s Fall Economic Statement of 2020. It is expected that this additional funding will create 28,500 rental units across Canada. The new $1 billion Rapid Housing Initiative will rapidly create up to 3,000 new affordable homes for Canada’s most vulnerable populations, who have been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes women and children fleeing violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people dealing with mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2+, racialized groups and recent immigrants and refugees. The Rapid Housing Initiative covers the construction of modular housing, the acquisition of land, and the conversion of existing buildings to affordable housing, and is available to municipalities, provinces, territories, Indigenous governing bodies and organizations, and non-profit organizations. Furthermore, the Government remains dedicated to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development’s mandate letter commitment to support the development of an urban Indigenous housing strategy. This work will require a coordinated and culturally informed approach, the scope and details of which have yet to be determined. We will work with Indigenous housing and service providers, National Indigenous organizations, other federal departments and other orders of government to help fill housing gaps in urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing. Rest assured, helping Canadians find sound, suitable and sustainable housing is a priority for the federal government. Ultimately, the National Housing Strategy will promote diverse communities and create a new generation of housing that is mixed-income, mixed-use, accessible and sustainable. Safe, affordable housing is a launch-pad for better socio-economic outcomes for our citizens, a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to be well and to succeed, a stronger economy and a cleaner environment.
Guaranteed annual incomeHomelessness and homelessIndigenous peoplesSocial housing
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 23, 2020e-2821e-2821 (Social affairs and equality)JayWoodruffMatthewGreenHamilton CentreNDPONSeptember 1, 2020, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)October 1, 2020, at 2:59 p.m. (EDT)October 9, 2020November 23, 2020October 1, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Disabled Canadians and Canadians living in poverty are disproportionately provided with emergency financial support since the launch of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) mandated $2,000 a month as the minimum required to live;The United Nations has expressed concern over the unequal support and protections for disabled people and people living in poverty;There is no nationwide support equal to CERB for disabled Canadians or Canadians living in poverty;The Government of Canada has not provided equal support since the launch of CERB to protect the human rights of disabled Canadians and Canadians living in poverty;The Government of Canada has not raised federal supports for disabled Canadians and Canadians living in poverty to be equal to the amount mandated as the minimum of $2,000 a month to survive; andThe Government of Canada has not kept federal support programs equal to inflation.We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Immediately expand the eligibility for the CERB to include those who were previously deemed ineligible due to poverty, disability, or other circumstances that have prevented them from meeting the minimum earnings required to qualify for CERB, and that payments be backdated to March 15, 2020; and2. Continue to provide equal support for Canadians as outlined above for the duration of CERB, as well as continuing to provide this support indefinitely through a guaranteed basic income, with the monthly rate increased annually to reflect any increases in of the cost of living.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability InclusionSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThe Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for sharing their views on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and recognizes their request to amend the program criteria. The Government acknowledges concerns that some workers may have been unable to meet the minimum earnings required to qualify for CERB due to their individual circumstances, including some persons with disabilities.This is a challenging time for all Canadians, and the Government of Canada is taking significant actions to help people facing hardship because of the COVID-19 outbreak.It is important to acknowledge that income security is a shared responsibility across different levels of government. As such, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges.A human rights-based approach to disability issues is reflected in all Government of Canada policies, programs and initiatives. The Government fully supports the equality rights guarantees provided to Canadians with disabilities by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Government has acted to strengthen this commitment through the development and passage of the Accessible Canada Act.The Government also provided a one-time, tax-free, non-reportable payment of up to $600 to assist with additional expenses incurred in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lower-income persons, including Canadians with disabilities, also received a doubled GST/HST credit in April 2020.  The average additional benefit from this measure is close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples.As announced on September 23, 2020 in the Speech from the Throne, the Government will bring forward a Disability Inclusion Plan that will introduce a new Canadian Disability Benefit. The Plan will also include a robust employment strategy for persons with disabilities, and a better process to determine eligibility for Government disability programs and benefits.From the onset, the Government has taken steps to ensure that the interests and needs of persons with disabilities are being taken into consideration in the decisions and measures adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, in the spirit of “Nothing About Us Without Us ” from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Government established a COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group (CDAG), comprised of experts in disability inclusion, to provide advice on the real-time lived experiences of persons with disabilities during this crisis, the issues, challenges and systemic gaps that exist as well as the best strategies and measures to be taken.Notable among the Advisory Group’s contributions and achievements was advising on broadening the reach of the one-time payment of $600 for persons with disabilities.  The Government expanded the payment to include recipients of Canada Pension Plan Disability, Quebec Pension Plan Disability Pension and Disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs CanadaThe Advisory Group and the disability community have raised accessible communications and the need for engagement with persons with disabilities as a key issue. That is why, as part of National AccessAbility Week, the Government announced an additional $1.1 million in funding to support national disability organizations through the Disability component of the Social Development Partnership Program. This funding will enhance their communications and engagement activities to better address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities.We are making strides on accessibility of public announcements and Government of Canada communications. Sign language interpretation is being provided at Government of Canada press conferences and the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group provided advice on public service policies related to accessible communications.With respect to the CERB, it is important to note that the program has now ended.  Of note, the CERB was not intended as a universal income support program, but was introduced on a temporary basis to replace income from employment or self-employment workers who had stopped working for reasons related to COVID-19.As of September 27, 2020, the Government implemented plans that transition people who have been receiving the CERB to a more flexible and accessible EI program. As a result of these temporary measures, EI will now be available to more Canadians, including those who would not have qualified for EI in the past.Additionally, the Government introduced three new temporary recovery benefits to support Canadians who are not eligible for EI and who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. The Canada Recovery Benefit supports workers who are not employed or self-employed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or are working and have had a reduction of at least 50 per cent in their employment/self-employment income for reasons related to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for EI. The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit supports public health measures by providing income support to workers who are unable to work because they are sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions that would make them more susceptible to COVID-19. Finally, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit responds to situations in which workers are unable to work because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or a family member who requires supervision because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19 or because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19.As part of the Government of Canada’s COVID response measures, the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) provided financial support from May to August, 2020 to post-secondary students and recent graduates who could not find summer employment due to COVID-19. Students with dependants or a disability received an additional $750 in support for a total of $2,000 for each four-week period. For the purposes of the CESB, students with disabilities was defined as someone having an impairment, such as a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment, or a functional limitation—whether permanent or episodic in nature, or evident or not—that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.This investment builds upon an extensive suite of disability-related supports currently available for post-secondary students with permanent disabilities. These targeted supports include the Canada Student Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities, which provides $2,000 per academic year (doubled to $4,000 in 2021-22 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic) and the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities, which provides up to $20,000 per academic year to help offset exceptional, education-related costs associated with permanent disabilities. Moreover, students with permanent disabilities have additional special provisions, such as flexible eligibility criteria, increased lifetime loan assistance, and more generous repayment assistance measures. Most recently, as of October 1, 2020, eligible students with disabilities can also take a break from studies for medical or mental health reasons.The Government of Canada will continue to monitor research and analysis on potential basic income policies and programs that could positively impact Canada’s economy and society, as part of its efforts to ensure that all Canadians have a real and fair opportunity to succeed. 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 needs of Canadians, including persons with disabilities.The Government also recognizes the challenges that many Canadians face with finding and keeping good jobs. These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong employment outcomes for persons with disabilities requires specialized programming that ensures they have the training, skills, and other supports to navigate these challenges. Consequently, the Government of Canada invests in a number of skills training and employment support programs for persons with disabilities, including the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (Opportunities Fund), a $40-million-per-year program that supports employment-focused interventions to assist persons with disabilities increase their access to the labour market. Through this program, the Government of Canada provides funding to organizations to assist persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment or self-employment. Projects funded under the program offer a wide range of services, including pre-employability training, self-employment interventions, job placements, wage subsidies and other wrap-around supports.On June 5, 2020, the Prime Minister of Canada announced several new federal supports for Canadians with disabilities to help address the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. They include a $15 million investment in a new National Workplace Accessibility Stream under the Opportunities Fund program in 2020-2021. This new stream helps support workplace accessibility and access to jobs for Canadians with disabilities, with a focus on the following activities:
  • Helping employers set up accessible and effective work-from-home measures;
  • Expanding online training opportunities;
  • Creating inclusive workplaces, whether virtual or physical;
  • Connecting people with disabilities, including those who work from home, with employers;
  • Training for in-demand jobs; and
  • Establishing wage subsidies to encourage the hiring of Canadians living with disabilities or expanding existing grants.
 
Application processCanada Emergency Response BenefitCOVID-19Guaranteed annual incomePandemic
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledNovember 16, 2020e-2583e-2583 (Social affairs and equality)AlysiaBoudreauPaulManlyNanaimo—LadysmithGreen PartyBCMay 21, 2020, at 8:43 a.m. (EDT)August 19, 2020, at 8:43 a.m. (EDT)September 25, 2020November 16, 2020August 19, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) would guarantee a livable monthly income to every Canadian with a social insurance number;GLI would establish an income floor below which no Canadian could fall and reflect regional differences in cost of living;GLI would replace the current patchwork of federal and provincial income assistance programs with a single, universal, cash benefit;GLI would be progressively taxed back based on income level;GLI would be administered through the existing tax system and require no means testing, thereby dramatically reducing federal and provincial administration costs;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; andGLI 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 Guaranteed Livable Income for all Canadians.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability InclusionSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThis is a challenging time for all Canadians, and the Government of Canada is taking significant actions to help people facing hardship because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Initiatives that have helped Canadians affected by the economic effects of the pandemic include the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, and one-time enhancements to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, Canada Child Benefit, and Old Age Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement. As well, the government has provided one-time payments to persons with disabilities.With CERB payments ending, the Government introduced new Canada Recovery Benefits and is transitioning many of the people who have been receiving CERB to a more flexible and generous Employment Insurance program.The Government of Canada has also made other commitments that will help to address poverty. For example, the government will continue to invest in housing so that more people have a safe and affordable place to call home; carry out a campaign to create more than 1 million jobs; support initiatives to improve food security so that everyone can put nutritious food on their table; and bring forward a new benefit and employment strategy for Canadians with disabilities.  The Government of Canada already has ongoing programs with features of a partial basic income for specific groups, 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.It is important to acknowledge that income security is a shared responsibility across different levels of government. As such, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges.The federal government will continue to monitor research and analysis on potential basic income policies and programs that could positively impact Canada’s economy and society, as part of its efforts to tackle poverty and to ensure that all Canadians have a real and fair opportunity to succeed. 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. 
Guaranteed annual income
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020e-2577e-2577 (Social affairs and equality)ChrisAlemanyGordJohnsCourtenay—AlberniNDPBCMay 7, 2020, at 10:49 a.m. (EDT)June 6, 2020, at 10:49 a.m. (EDT)June 10, 2020September 24, 2020June 8, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="2" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons in Parliament assembled</Addressee>Whereas:The unequal patchwork of insurance, support, and welfare systems across Canada represent a barrier to the constitutional right of Canadians to live and seek work anywhere in the country;The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a more robust and all-inclusive support structure for all Canadians in both normal times and in crisis situations; andA universal basic income has been tested successfully in multiple jurisdictions in Canada and around the world with positive economic and social impacts.We, the undersigned, people of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to work urgently across party lines and in partnership with provincial and territorial governments to overhaul our employment and welfare systems and implement a guaranteed, consistent, national, and livable universal basic income system for all Canadians in all parts of Canada.
Response by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability InclusionSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThe Government of Canada continually undertakes research and analysis on a range of policies and programs that could positively impact Canada’s economy and society as part of its efforts to ensure that all Canadians have a real and fair opportunity to succeed.It is important to acknowledge that income security is a shared jurisdiction across different levels of government. As such, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges.The Government of Canada already has programs with many of the features of a basic income, such as the Canada Child Benefit for families with children, the Old Age Security program and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors. In addition, existing programs such as the Canada Workers Benefit and Employment Insurance (EI) provide income supports for low-income individuals with labour market attachment or those with insurable employment. These programs exist alongside provincial and territorial social assistance programs.That being said, the Government is aware of views regarding the existing EI benefits and leave system and that the changing nature of work presents challenges in providing support to all Canadians in their unique circumstances.In response to COVID-19, the Government has invested billions in targeted income support to individuals, business, key sectors, and community organizations on the frontlines of serving Canadians. In addition to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit which is providing $500 per week to eligible individuals impacted by the forced shutdown of the economy, the Government of Canada has taken several measures to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak such as supports for families with children and lower income individuals.To provide further support for Canadian families facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government provided a one-time enhancement of $300 per child for families currently receiving the Canada Child Benefit as part of the May 2020 payment. The overall increase for families receiving the child benefit was around $550 on average.To respond to the economic hardship experienced by Canadians due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in April, 2020, the Government also provided direct financial support to low- and modest-income individuals and families through a special Goods and Services/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit top-up payment. This payment effectively doubled benefit amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year and delivered the additional support in one lump-sum payment. The average additional benefit is close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. There was no need to apply for this payment. All individuals who were eligible received the payment.As we continue to move towards economic recovery, the Government of Canada is continuing to explore a variety of potential shorter and longer-term policy responses that could address the ongoing needs of Canadians.   
Guaranteed annual income
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledSeptember 24, 2020e-2520e-2520 (Social affairs and equality)ChristelMarchandAlexandreBoulericeRosemont—La Petite-PatrieNDPQCApril 9, 2020, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)June 8, 2020, at 9:34 a.m. (EDT)June 17, 2020September 24, 2020June 8, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="1" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">House of Commons</Addressee>Whereas:Artists are the driving force behind the cultural industry and the goods it produces, one of the largest industries in the country, with direct and indirect impacts on many industries, whose profits depend on this cultural content, which is essential to the well-being of all communities;Artists and the cultural industry, already subject to precarious conditions, will greatly suffer from the impacts of COVID-19;The production of cultural goods must continue or even expand during and after the crisis;A number of universal basic income (UBI) projects, including those of Canadian organizations and the Finnish government, have shown increases in resilience, socio-economic development factors, job quality and business creation, as well as decreases in poverty indicators;Current social support measures are outdated and costly, and a UBI would replace them at no cost, helping reduce social unrest and effectively stimulate the economy; andWhile productivity is increasing, the labour market is constantly changing and remains unstable, and the ever-worsening concentration of wealth is undermining the development and survival of the cultural industry.We, the undersigned, artists and citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to implement a UBI that would be at least equivalent to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit of $2,000 per month for all Canadian artists, using existing institutions (for example, the Canada Council for the Arts (which can identify artists) and Employment Insurance), and to eventually extend the UBI to all Canadians.
Response by the Minister of SeniorsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): IREK KUSMIERCZYKThis is a challenging time for Canadians, and the Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant, and decisive actions to help people facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.The Government has invested billions in targeted income support to individuals, business, key sectors, and community organizations on the frontlines of serving Canadians. In addition to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which is providing $500 per week to eligible individuals impacted by the forced shutdown of the economy, and measures to help companies pay rent and keep their employees working, the Government announced measures that provided financial support to vulnerable Canadians that helped limit income inequality and promote opportunity during this challenging time.
  • For lower income Canadians, the one-time Goods and Services Tax Credit payment delivered to eligible recipients in April 2020 effectively doubled the maximum annual amounts for the 2019-20 benefit year, benefiting over 12million individuals and families. The average additional benefit is close to $400 for single individuals and close to $600 for couples. The Government delivered $5.5B through this measure.
  • For families with children, the Government’s one-time $300 increase to Canada Child Benefit payments in May 2020 provided additional support to 3.7 million families to help pay for groceries, children’s at-home learning activities, and other necessities during this time. The overall increase for families receiving the child benefit was around $550 on average. The Government delivered almost $2B through this measure.
  • For seniors, the one-time boost of $300 to Old Age Security (OAS), additional payment of $200 for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) recipients, and $500 to Allowance recipients provided increased support to help offset costs that seniors face right now, such as grocery delivery and medications. As of April 2020, 6.5M seniors receive OAS payments and were eligible for the enhancement. Of those, 2.1 million seniors are also receiving the GIS increase. The Government has delivered $2.5B through these measures.
These are just a few examples of the supports the Government has provided to Canadians during this difficult time. As of July 3, 2020, the Government had invested almost $232 billion in direct federal measures as part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.With regard to basic income, the Government of Canada continually undertakes research and analysis on a range of policies and programs that could positively impact Canada’s economy and society as part of its efforts to ensure that all Canadians have a real and fair opportunity to succeed.The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of working with provinces and territories to find solutions to common challenges. However, it is important to acknowledge that it is up to the provincial and territorial governments to make decisions around the design of social assistance systems and policies in their own jurisdictions.The Government of Canada already has programs with many of the features of a basic income, such as the Canada Child Benefit for families with children, the Old Age Security program and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors. In addition, existing programs such as the Canada Workers Benefit and Employment Insurance provide income supports for low-income individuals with labour market attachment or those with insurable employment. That being said, the Government is aware of views regarding the existing Employment Insurance benefits and leave system and that the changing nature of work presents challenges in providing support to all Canadians in their unique circumstances.At the same time, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the arts and the significant contributions of different kinds of artists to our country’s identity. As public opinion research has shown, most Canadians agree that arts and culture make communities better places to live and are important for individual well-being.Moreover, arts and culture are important to Canada’s economy: Canada’s cultural sector accounts for approximately $53 billion of Gross Domestic Product and provides employment for more than 666,000 Canadians.  For every public-sector dollar invested in the arts, another dollar is stimulated from the private sector and generates additional positive returns including earned revenues, tickets sales, increased tourism, and organizational and employee spending.While the majority of arts organizations’ revenues are self-generated, accounting for 73 percent of the typical non-profit performing arts organization’s revenues, the Government of Canada provides significant support for arts organizations with investments focused on professional, not-for-profit activity. This benefits arts organizations as well as individual artists and the wider public. Direct federal support is provided for activities of the National Arts Centre, and grants and contributions programs delivered by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage.Federal investments in the not-for-profit arts complement one another and the Government’s investment in the for-profit cultural industries. Legislative and taxation measures, such as the Copyright Act, the Income Tax Act, and the Status of the Artist Act, also provide support to the cultural industry, and individual artists.As we continue to move towards economic recovery, the Government of Canada is continuing to explore a variety of potential shorter and longer-term policy responses that could address the ongoing needs of Canadians.
ArtistsGuaranteed annual income
43rd Parliament229Not certifiedMay 7, 2020e-2497e-2497 (Social affairs and equality)JohnKnightDonDaviesVancouver KingswayNDPBCApril 6, 2020, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)May 6, 2020, at 4:08 p.m. (EDT)May 7, 2020Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The reasonable public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including directives to practice social distancing coupled with the closure or shut down of public gathering spaces, events and institutions, has had an unprecedented impact on the finances of Canadians;Many Canadians live paycheck to paycheck working in industries impacted by these public health measures resulting in missed work and pay;These people are worried where the money for rent or groceries will come from;Many freelance workers specializing in the arts, consulting, coaching and countless other industries have seen contracts canceled or indefinitely postponed;The income from these contracts has disappeared and now these workers are struggling to figure out how to pay their day to day expenses;Businesses have also been suffering from lost sales and contracts during this time; andWhile the hope is that they may weather this storm and recover once the danger has passed this will be difficult if customers cannot afford to come back.We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to quickly approve a guaranteed basic income for every adult Canadian of no less than $1,800 per month for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recovery period.COVID-19Guaranteed annual income