Participate in BC's basic income consultation

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Right now, almost half a million BC residents are living in poverty. [1]

A majority of people living in poverty have jobs, but are paid so poorly that they still fall below the poverty line.[2] For those without work, welfare benefits are hard to access, and don’t come close to covering basic living costs. [3]

The BC government is considering a new basic income program to help reduce poverty in our province. If it’s done right, it could give a major lift to people living in poverty, providing a stable, reliable income that allows people to thrive. [4] But if it’s done wrong, it could actually leave people worse off.

Public consultations on basic income close tomorrow. If thousands of us flood the consultations with messages, we can make sure the BC government follows through with a well-designed basic income program that will benefit those living in poverty.

Let's make sure BC gets it right. Will you send a message now?

Sources:
[1-2] https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-s-working-poor-meet-the-people-whose-jobs-dont-pay-the-bills
[3]http://bcpovertyreduction.ca/learn-more/plan-for-bc/
[4]https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/02/24/from-barely-surviving-to-thriving-ontario-basic-income-recipients-report-less-stress-better-health.html

Send a message to the basic income consultations now

You can either use the letter below, or customize your own for greater impact.

Subject

Dear Committee Members,

I am writing to express my support for a basic income program, so long as it is designed in a way that will benefit those living in poverty. The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition has put together a thorough report outlining recommendations that must be satisfied if a basic income program is implemented so that it would benefit those living in poverty:

- Basic income recipients must be given an adequate amount that reflects the cost of living, and provides dignity to recipients.

- Basic income must not have eligibility requirements, so that no one can fall through the cracks.
 
- Basic income must be implemented as part of a fulsome poverty reduction plan and not in place of one. Participants must not lose access to other services and be left worse off than before receiving a basic income.

- Basic income has to be implemented in tandem with a minimum wage increase. It should not become a subsidy for low wage employers who need to provide living wages.

You can read the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition’s full submission here: http://bcpovertyreduction.ca/2019/01/submission-the-basic-income-expert-committee/

I feel it is absolutely essential that the conditions in this report are met for a basic income program to be successful.

Thank you,

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Participate in BC's basic income consultation

Send a message to the basic income consultations now

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