THE SOCIAL DEBATE
New Brunswick poverty reduction plan stops short of universal income support
The threat of a recession has prompted renewed calls for some kind of income support from labour and social justice groups.
A basic income can be a strong investment in mental health
Over half of Canadians feel “financially paralyzed” by the cost-of-living crisis, according to a recent poll. As life becomes more unaffordable for more people, we need governments to create policies that will improve public health and well-being.
Guaranteeing basic income in Canada could cut poverty by 40% and cost only $3.6 billion: PBO
The PBO analysis says the number of hours worked by guaranteed income recipients could drop slightly — up to 1.4 per cent.
Elon Musk weighs $5k ‘dividends’ for Americans with DOGE savings he has yet to prove
Musk is already hinting at sharing Doge savings while nation is still massively in debt with Republicans planning a huge tax cut
Kansas City doesn’t have enough jobs available for all the federal workers getting laid off
Federal workers in Kansas City whose jobs were eliminated under the Trump administration’s massive budget cuts will have a hard time finding comparable work in the area. Instability in the city’s workforce could lead to a recession.
Gould promises to open ‘path’ to a basic income in Canada
In 2021, the parliamentary budget officer published an analysis suggesting it would cost $85 billion to provide $17,000 to low-income Canadian families and would cut poverty rates in half.
Daniel Hemel’s new course at NYU Law gives student practical insights into using guaranteed basic income to tackle poverty
In this Q&A, Hemel assesses the current state of basic income programs, considers what critics get right and wrong about UBI, and shares what he hopes that his upcoming course will accomplish.
Opinion | A stronger Canada starts with economic security for all
We need to ensure all Canadians have the economic security to feel like this country is a home worth fighting for, or the same disgruntled forces that brought Trump into office in the U.S. will surely rip apart the fabric of the Canadian dream, Tom Cooper writes.
Trump is making plans for a sovereign wealth fund. Alaska already has one, and it’s funding a universal basic income.
The Alaska Permanent Fund, which distributes money to Alaska residents annually, could be a model. Challenges include funding sources, legislative hurdles, and state-owned natural resources.
Alternatives North releases basic income guarantee proposal
Alternatives North is advocating for the NWT government to introduce a basic income guarantee program, which it says could eliminate poverty.
Leaked ANC document calls for basic income grant in South Africa in 2025
According to a leaked document from its January 2025 lekgotla, the ANC supports phasing in a basic income grant (BIG) this year.
Explosive court ruling on SRD grant in South Africa
Government ordered to “progressively increase” the grant and income threshold, and allow in-person applications
Universal basic income vs. welfare: Here’s what UBI could mean for America’s safety net
As America’s cities look to alleviate poverty, universal basic income has been proposed by local leaders as a complement to existing welfare.
Food banks were never supposed to be permanent, CEO says
Conceived as a stopgap measure to address unmet needs in some communities, food banks were first implemented on a large scale in Canada in the 1980s.
Universal programs are much easier to administer than means-tested ones
Universal programs are much easier to administer than means-tested ones.
Opinion: We all deserve more money. Let me prove why it’s time for universal basic income
A universal basic income policy is simple yet transformative, writes Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
Volunteers providing meals in eastern P.E.I. renew call for basic income guarantee
‘A good, solid basic income policy needs to be looked at strongly in Canada’
Opinion: What “Universal Basic Guys” gets wrong about basic income – and why it matters
Narratives can inspire hope, spark change or, as in the case of Fox’s new animated series “Universal Basic Guys” (now streaming on Hulu) reduce transformative ideas to shallow stereotypes.
Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to sign Covid stimulus checks as Trump did
President says failure may have contributed to voters blaming him for high prices even as economy improved
Opinion: A basic income grant is our most potent weapon in the fight against hunger
A shocking 64.7% of all South African households have expenditure on food per person that is below the food poverty line. Hunger creates a ticking time bomb which can be devastating when the fuse is lit.
NY Governor Hochul Proposes Sending 8.6 Million New Yorkers an ‘Inflation Refund Check’ as First Proposal of 2025 State of the State
Proposal Would Deliver $3 Billion by Taking Excess Sales Tax Revenue Driven by Inflation and Giving That Money Back to Everyday New Yorkers
Chavit Singson wants universal basic income in Philippines if elected senator
The passing of a universal basic income law would be the first order of business for former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson if he wins in the senatorial elections next year.
Democratic Party of Korea decides to revise party platform to include Universal Basic Income
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) decided Monday to revise its platform to include former leader Lee Jae-myung’s “basic society” welfare plan centering on guaranteeing universal basic income.
Food banks across Canada are begging to be put out of business with basic income
Campaign asks Canadians to top up their donations by calling for basic income
Reimagining Conservation Post-Cop16: The Case for a Universal Basic Income
The global environmental crisis, manifesting in the accelerated loss of biodiversity, is exacerbated by deep socio-economic inequalities.
Rethinking Universal Basic Income: Economic Productivity, Quality of Life and the Sustainable Development Goals
Recent concern about the uncertain impacts of artificial intelligence has fueled renewed discussion of universal basic income (UBI).
Basic Income Grant coalition in Namibia protests conditional basic income grant
“We are not happy with what the government is doing right now: excluding a lot of people in the country who are not eligible for that Haraambe cash grant,” she said.
Sustainable welfare for a sustainable planet
The economy must provide sustainable welfare to stay within planetary boundaries. UBI and UBS show us the way
Corporations raised $16 million to oppose Oregon’s universal basic income plan. They won.
Oregon’s universal basic income measure failed, with 78.8% of voters opposing the policy.
Opinion: Open Your Heart to Universalism
In matters of social protection, please trust your instincts and do what your heart tells you!
New poll shows more people in the UK support Universal Basic Income than oppose it
46% of Brits back a UBI
Why Measure 118 in Oregon Was Written To Be Fully Universal
A universal yearly tax rebate – with similar principles to UBI – could drastically improve life in this US state