Occupy this

In the Ottawa Citizen this week I go back to that unfortunate episode where the people managing the Carp Agricultural Society got hoodwinked into renting some space to nasty right-wing extremists. And I say it’s up to all of us in the mainstream political space to occupy as much of it as we can so that extremisms, no matter which side they come from, have no place to grow.

Another important event that sort of flew under the radar this week is the introduction of a motion by Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh to support basic income. I’ve copied the whole text of the motion below, because it’s interesting and also explains why ensuring people have their basic needs covered is good economic policy — even for conservatives who care very much about balancing the books. The motion was adopted but not by everyone. Notably, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe voted against it. Kavanagh said she would have liked him to support it, “however I am happy having a majority on council supporting Ottawa Public Health’s motion and direction on basic income.”

You can see who voted for and against this motion in the minutes and also below.

Text of the motion and vote results

WHEREAS, a Basic Income Guarantee program for people over the age of 17 in Canada would meet basic human needs by ensuring the security of a minimum income level, regardless of employment status; and

WHEREAS, a Basic Income Guarantee program would help to reduce poverty and improve income security in Canada and address the related negative social and economic impacts on the health of our most vulnerable populations; and

WHEREAS, income-based policy measures are necessary to effectively reduce household food insecurity, which is associated with many negative physical and mental health outcomes, and is experienced by 1 in 7 households in Ottawa (as outlined in a report received at the November 2023 Ottawa Board of Health meeting); and

WHEREAS, a Basic Income Guarantee program can complement existing social support systems in Canada, in the form of longstanding programs like the Canada Child Benefit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors, which have demonstrated positive impacts on basic income recipients, economies, and our greater society; and

WHEREAS, the Ontario Basic Income Pilot project, that was tested in the Hamilton area, Thunder Bay area and Lindsay between 2017 and 2019, saw 4,000 eligible applicants receive basic income and report positive outcomes, including the alleviation of food and housing insecurity, improved physical and mental health, financial stability, social equity and increased access to employment opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income was referred to and currently being considered by the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance after passing second reading in April 2023; and

WHEREAS Bill C-223, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income was read a second time and remains in the Order of Precedence in the House of Commons after an initial debate in May 2024; and

WHEREAS, the call for a Basic Income Guarantee program in Canada is being made by many other municipalities in Ontario and beyond; and

WHEREAS, a Basic Income Guarantee program would align with public health priorities, including to seek to address negative impacts of poverty and improve access to healthcare and potentially reduce healthcare costs, enabling people to afford preventive care and timely treatments while preventing more costly healthcare interventions, leading to better overall population health; and

WHEREAS, the Ottawa Board of Health has recognized that income is one of the most important social determinants of health, and relates to many other determinants including education and literacy, healthy behaviors, inadequate housing, and employment conditions; and

WHEREAS on the Ottawa Board of Health on June 17, 2024, approved a resolution supporting the concept of a Basic Income Guarantee for all people over the age of 17 in Canada to help combat low income and economic vulnerability within our community, and calling upon upon the federal and the provincial governments to collaborate on the introduction and implementation of a national Basic Income Guarantee program for all people over the age of 17 in Canada; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Ottawa City Council supports the advocacy of the Ottawa Board of Health in support of this legislation and the passage of Senate Bill S-233 and House Bill C-223.