Who we are

Basic Income Calgary is an action group of the Basic Income Canada Network and an Enough for All stakeholder. Basic Income Calgary’s goals align with Enough for All, Calgary’s poverty reduction strategy, and the growing national movement for a basic income guarantee.

We believe in and support the creation of a basic income guarantee program that would create a regular, predictable income, universally and unconditionally available to all who need it, and sufficient to provide for a decent lifestyle and enable full participation in the community.

Basic Income Calgary Steering Committee members include: Disability Action Hall, Women’s Centre of Calgary, We’re Together Ending Poverty,  Action Dignity, Poverty Talks, Vibrant Communities Calgary, Engineers Without Borders, The Alex Community Food Centre, Calgary Alliance for the Common Good and community volunteers.

We have network meetings typically the fourth Monday in January, March, May, September and November. Please contact us calgary@basicincomealberta.ca if you wish to join us.

Why a Basic Income Guarantee?

The United Nations Human Rights Declaration and Sustainable Development Goals establish a framework of critical importance for global action of which the primary objective is “to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and a healthy environment.”

This means that every Canadian has a right to live in dignity, with adequate means to achieve physical, mental and social well-being. Calgary’s 2020 poverty rate is about 8.3% with increasing poverty rates for young adults (18-24 years). Today, neither work nor the existing social safety net ensures that all people have enough income to meet their basic needs. Employment is increasingly insecure, while our welfare programs are complex, intrusive and inadequate.

A Basic Income Guarantee program will reduce poverty and income inequality. Forms of basic income in Canada have already changed lives profoundly for the better, but only for some. Now we need to create a Basic Income Guarantee for all, free of stigma and oversight. Basic income is key to creating a future that offers security and dignity for all, while ensuring a fairer distribution of work, wealth, income and participation in society.

BE UNIVERSAL: A BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE AND RECEIVED BY THOSE WHO FALL BELOW A CERTAIN INCOME, WITH NO BEHAVIOURAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.

DISCUSSION

A BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE is unconditional in that one does not need to pass a test to receive it, and is delivered regularly (i.e. monthly or biweekly).

• Eligibility for payments include Canadian citizens, Temporary Foreign Workers, Permanent Residents or refugee claimants 18 years and older.
• There would be no expectation for individuals to work, attend post-secondary schools or job training programs.

BE ADEQUATE: A BASIC INCOME SHOULD MEET BASIC NEEDS SO NO ONE WILL FALL INTO POVERTY

DISCUSSION

Everyone deserves a decent life. The BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE should allow all to live with dignity and ability to better achieve their potential. It will at least provide for adequate food, housing, transportation, internet/communication services, and will support physical and mental well-being. As a result of the program, recipients should be able to live with significantly reduced financial stress and improved mental health.

BE INDIVIDUAL: THE BASIC INCOME GUARANTEE PAYMENT SHOULD BE TO INDIVIDUALS. THE LEVEL OF PAYMENT MAY BE BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND FAMILY SIZE.

DISCUSSION

Because of the existing income supports for seniors (Old Age Supplement and Guaranteed Income support) and children (Canada Child Benefit), advocates are currently focused on Basic Income Guarantee for people aged 18 to 65.

It is expected that Basic Income Guarantee would be based on taxable income. The BI amount will be reduced gradually as other taxable income increases. The gradual reduction of BI provides more incentives to work.

The payments need to be flexible and responsive to rapid changes in individual circumstances that would affect the level of payment.

BE COMPLEMENTARY AS PART OF A BROAD SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM.

DISCUSSION

Individuals must continue to receive the support services they need. These include, but are not limited to, affordable housing, child care, dental care, prescriptions, and programs that help address health and well-being. Basic Income Guarantee should not replace existing social supports and programs, nor preclude governments from improving upon or investing in other supports and programs. In addition, Basic Income Guarantee should not in any way serve as justification for encroachments to existing labour rights and regulations, including existing commitments to minimum wage increases.

BE DESIGNED IN COLLABORATION WITH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS OF MARGINALIZED PEOPLE.

DISCUSSION

People with higher poverty rates include women, Indigenous people, racialized people, GLBT2S people, disabled people, artists and others working in the gig economy. Politicians, Indigenous peoples and community leaders need to collaborate to develop Basic Income to ensure people are moved out of poverty.

Discussions and collaboration with Indigenous Canadians requires addressing to income and non-income supports for both those on and off-reserve.

The federal government needs to pass legislation which establishes Basic Income as a right. Municipal governments are important advocates for basic income.