By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Chatham-Kent’s Food Policy Council is lobbying for a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) for all Ontarians.
Following a report to the C-K Board of Health at its meeting last week, the board voted to ask for Chatham-Kent council’s support to push the province to make the funding available across the board.
The board recommendation came after a report from public health nutritionist Sharmini Balakrishnan, who explained that in the communities where basic income funding was piloted, physical and mental wellness improved.
“We’ve had great discussion on this at our food policy council,” said Wallaceburg Coun. Carmen McGregor. “Any lobbying, interest or direction we can get from our council to go through with this and support the resolution (received from our council) will be greatly received by the province.”
McGregor said she hoped other municipalities, organizations and other levels of government would get on board.
According to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) website, the Ontario government conducted a basic income trial between 2017 and 2019. Devised as an alternative to traditional social benefits, BIG funding increases support for low- and no-income individuals to $1,415 a month. A total of $1,915 is allocated per month to people with disabilities. Implemented by the Ontario Liberals in 2018 for what was supposed to be three years, the pilot was terminated after 18 months when the Progressive Conservatives came to power.
The trial was conducted with 4,000 recipients in Brantford, Hamilton, Thunder Bay and Lindsay.
