Singh Calls on Liberals to Save Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot Project

OTTAWA – In a speech to Canadian Innovators on Tuesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on the Federal Liberal government to step-in and save the Basic Income Pilot Project Ontario Premier Doug Ford has pledged to cancel. Ford announced the program that guarantees a minimum income for 4,000 low-income residents will end in March of 2019, thereby completing only two of its three year study.

“This project will provide invaluable data as we look towards the economy of the future,” said Singh. “And for the 4,000 low-income residents who signed onto the three year program, it’s the right thing to do.”

Last week, one hundred CEOs wrote a letter to Premier Ford calling for the pilot project to be saved because the program is a “business-friendly approach to address the increasing financial precarity of our citizens and revitalize the economy.”

“The results of this pilot project could very well help us map out an economic foundation that unleashes our full entrepreneurial potential,” added Singh. The NDP Leader also pointed out that taking over the program would be a “great deal” as the Ontario government has already covered the vast majority of the $150 million cost of the program. “Additionally, this information could show us how to build a fairer society for everyone across this country.”