https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/basic-income-research-1.7014989
'Basic income was life-changing for Jessica Topfer.
The Cannington, Ont. resident was a student at Trent University in 2017 when
then-premier Kathleen Wynne's government launched the largest basic income
pilot North America had seen in 50 years.
"I was working full-time in addition to my full-time course load, so I was
under a lot of stress. My mental health was not great. My social relationships
were also not great," Topfer said. "That first $714 cheque made a huge
difference to me."
It was enough to cover rent and help with some essentials. Soon, Topfer was
able to work fewer hours at her part-time retail job, focus on school, and look
for work in her field that was too precarious for her to take on before.
"It was a single key that unlocked dozens upon dozens of doors for me in terms
of education and employment."
As the Senate considers a bill that would require the creation of a national
framework for basic income, supporters in Ontario say the stories of pilot
participants make it clear basic income works.
"When decision makers turn to us and say 'we don't have evidence; we don't have
a basis,' we do," Wynne said in Hamilton last month.
On Oct. 27, she was one of many supporters who met at Hamilton's Central
Library to discuss new research on that pilot and the future of basic income
advocacy.'
Via Diane A.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
