"WHEREAS, the City of Kitchener passed a motion in May 2020 calling on the Ontario and Canadian governments to establish a Universal Basic Income (UBI) which is a flat amount paid to all residents; and,
WHEREAS a Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income (GLBI) goes to those most in need and phases out as income from other sources increases; and,
WHEREAS studies from the Ontario Basic Income pilot, which ended abruptly in 2018, demonstrated improvements in the physical and mental health, labour market participation, food security, housing stability and financial and social well-being of pilot participants; and,
WHEREAS The Government of Canada’s report Building Understanding: The First Report of the National Advisory Council on Poverty from 2020 used 2016 census data to highlight how poverty disproportionately impacts racialized individuals at twice the rate as compared to non-racialized individuals in Canada at 20.6% and 10.6% respectively; and,
WHEREAS the pandemic, rising cost of living and surges in food and housing prices have worsened income inequality and created scenarios where more people find it difficult to meet their basic needs; and,
WHEREAS social assistance recipients are living in extreme poverty and food insecurity and are at great risk of developing associated health concerns; and,
WHEREAS in lieu of a provincial or federal anti-poverty strategy, the City of Kitchener has developed programs to decrease the impacts of poverty and income inequality, and to make it possible for residents to participate in programs that provide a better quality of life which can positively improve mental and physical well-being; and,
WHEREAS these programs and services are the result of downloading by the provincial and federal governments which would be more fully addressed by a GLBI program; and,
WHEREAS implementing a GLBI program has been shown to reduce the need for individuals to apply for multiple support programs in order to maintain a healthy and dignified life; and,
WHEREAS the Region of Waterloo and the City of Waterloo recently passed a similar motion and the City of Cambridge will be discussing similar motions;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener requests that the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario work collaboratively to establish an income-tested GLBI to combat poverty, income inequality and economic insecurity within our community;
THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, local and area MPs and MPPs, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for further consideration."
In Favour (6): Councillor J. Deneault, Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor B. Ioannidis, Councillor D. Chapman and Councillor S. Stretch
Contra (4): Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor S. Davey, Councillor D. Schnider and Councillor P. Singh
Absent (1): Councillor A. Owodunni
Carried on recorded vote.