THINKING OUT LOUD WITH SHELDON MacLEOD: Basic Income Guarantee – Saltwire

Atlantic Canada > Opinion

HALIFAX, N.S. The story this week said: "Halifax regional council is calling on the provincial and federal governments to provide a livable basic income for all." And they will be sending letters to the provincial and federal governments to call for an unconditional, basic income guarantee (BIG). HRM isn't the only Canadian city that is pushing for a regular income for any adults whose annual earnings are below $20,000. And with all government programs, it would come at a cost. But there's already huge financial implications for leaving people to struggle in poverty. Independent Canadian Senator Kim Pate was quick to share the news, and a release on her twitter account. She wrote: "The unconscionable consequences of Canadas failure to address poverty and income inequality include starkly magnified, needless and cruel exposure of people to preventable health risks." She praised HRM's decision and called for the Canadian government to step up. She says we've already shown we have the mechanisms in place to do it, now we need the political will.

Sheldon MacLeod has been a broadcast professional for close to 30 years. Eyewitness to the transition from 45s and magnetic tape to CDs, MP3s, computers, websites, blogs and the worldwide web. And through all of the technology one thing remains constant: the satisfaction of sharing compelling stories with other humans. The responsibility of knowing better, is doing better. Sheldon is based in Halifax, N.S.Reach out to Sheldon at[emailprotected].

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THINKING OUT LOUD WITH SHELDON MacLEOD: Basic Income Guarantee - Saltwire