NDP MP Leah Gazan urges all parliamentarians to support her bill for a guaranteed, liveable basic income

OTTAWA—On Wednesday, NPD MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre), joined by advocates from Citizens for Justice and Peace, called on all MPs to support her Bill C-223 that would implement a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income in Canada.

If passed, Bill C-223 would require the Minister of Finance to develop a national framework to provide all persons over the age of 17 in Canada with access to a guaranteed livable basic income so they can afford to live.

“This is a unique opportunity to address the affordability crisis and ensure all people in Canada can access the resources they need,” said Gazan. “No one should have to depend on food banks to eat or worry if they can afford rent. A livable basic income will help lift families and individuals out of the hardship this cost-of-living crisis has created.”

Mentioning the bill in Question Period last week, Gazan cited a recent report by Feed Ontario which attributed an eight-year high in food bank usage to the lack of a sufficient social safety net.

“It’s outrageous that in a wealthy country like Canada, folks cannot afford something as basic as food,” said Gazan. “If the Liberals and Conservatives are serious about tackling the affordability crisis that is hurting people everywhere in the country, then they need to support Bill-C-223 to put in place a guaranteed, liveable basic income.”

MPs in Ottawa will vote on Wednesday to determine whether Gazan’s Bill C-223 will be considered before a parliamentary committee.