Low Income People Involvement is encouraged the province is moving forward with a Basic Income pilot program.

In fact, Executive Director Lana Mitchell says she’d like LIPI to be involved somehow.

Details are few on what the pilot will include, but it’s coming this spring.

The province says they’re looking to create a pilot that would test how a basic income might benefit people living in a variety of low income situations, including those who are currently working.

Mitchell says that’s key, pointing out if there’s an illness and people have to take unpaid time off work, they can get behind and never catch up.

“There needs to be programs in place that catch people when they’re just struggling a touch, versus when they totally crash. It makes way more sense and it’s far more humane, and it’s more affordable,” she adds.

Mitchell says paying rent and having food are big necessities, but that’s not all.

“But I think a basic phone, so that people can communicate and work, and be available for work, and just pay bills and have proper heat in their homes is a huge step forward,” she says.

The province says between November 3, 2016 and January 31, 2017, about 1,200 participants attended 14 public consultations held in communities across Ontario.
Over 34,000 people completed the online survey.  Written submissions were received from more than 80 community organizations and groups with expertise and experience in fighting poverty.

Consultation feedback supports a basic income pilot that:
– Includes Ontario residents aged 18-64 living in socially and economically diverse communities, in urban, rural and northern locations
– Helps people living on low incomes meet their basic needs
– Lifts people out of poverty, with long-term improvements in health, employment and housing.

Filed under: basic-income, lipi, north bay