This past week at City Council I am pleased to announce that the motion I put forward, seconded by Councillor Marty Carr in support of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI), passed. The purpose of putting this motion forward was to compliment the motion previously put forward at the Ottawa Board of Health meeting on June 17 by Councillor Carr.
I felt it important to bring forward this motion to City Council to give my colleagues the opportunity put their support behind the Ottawa Board of Health. Both the Province and the Federal governments have the ability to make changes to bring in GBI. To be equitable across the country it should come from the Federal government. Municipalities bear the greatest burden of the negative impacts of poverty. These would include programming for substance abuse, policing services, social services, and the Food Bank.
There are many Municipalities supporting the exploration of basic income. Showing our support now puts us in line with other cities and towns across Canada who support GBI, such as Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston, Mississauga, Cambridge, Halifax, Moncton, Fredericton, Waterloo, Niagara, Peterborough, Pellham, Hasting Highlands, North Kawarthas, Lanark County.
GBI can lower financial barriers to education, making it more accessible to individuals who may otherwise not have the means to afford tuition, books, or other educational expenses. Basic income can lead to better health outcomes because people have more financial security. This means reduced healthcare costs for governments and employers due to fewer medical complications associated with poverty.
When people have a basic income, they tend to spend it on essential goods and services, which stimulates local economies. This increased spending can lead to higher demand for goods, thus benefiting businesses and creating jobs.
Simplifying the social welfare system by replacing it with a basic income can reduce bureaucracy and administrative costs. This efficiency can lead to savings for governments, which can be redirected to other public services or tax reductions.
These points highlight how basic income can benefit the economy by promoting economic stability, enhancing productivity, and reducing social inequalities.
Poverty not only breeds despair but costs our economy in lost resources. We see this in older adults who are currently on fixed incomes and are falling behind.
GBI can significantly reduce poverty and income inequality. By providing a reliable source of income, it ensures everyone can meet their basic needs, therefore reducing the economic strain on vulnerable populations. GBI can address systemic inequities exacerbated by crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Racialized communities and individuals in unstable employment situations would particularly benefit from the stability and support offered by GBI, helping to mitigate long-standing inequities in income and opportunities.
Thank you to Councillor Carr and all of my council colleagues who supported this motion.