Ontario Scrapping Basic Income Program Because It is 'Not Sustainable'

Caleb Tolin | August 2, 2018
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In April 2017, the Ontario government set up plans for a basic income program to begin in 2018. Now that the center-right Progressive Conservative party is in control, they’re getting rid of that program because it was “not going to be sustainable.”

The test-drive project was originally going to cost C$50 million ($38.42 million USD) including 4,000 participants, set to begin in October 2017. The pilot program was supposed to last for three years.

Children, Community and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod said this was "clearly not the answer for Ontario families” because it was “quite expensive” and that they needed to focus on "more proven approaches."

"My commitment to the people of Ontario, particularly the people who are most vulnerable, is that we will get it right," MacLeod said addressing the concerned public. "I, in good conscience, could not proceed on the patchwork of systems that the Liberals had in place."

Premier Doug Ford, the leader of the party, announced the termination of the program.

Naturally, liberal Canadians are losing their mind. They can’t imagine a world without handouts.

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said that this was "highly irresponsible” and “this callous, mean-spirited premier sees this as a priority? Making poverty worse? Making life worse for families? Absolutely disgraceful. Shameful.”

Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party, said, "The most efficient and effective way to reduce poverty and government bureaucracy is to experiment with new solutions such as the basic Income guarantee pilot program," despite the system “not working.”

The program is not immediately shutting down, but the plans on how to phase it out will be announced soon.

(Cover Photo: Flickr - Rick)

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