Councillor says municipalities need help from province and feds
The Niagara region's Social Services Committee has voted to ask the federal and provincial governments to come up with a Universal Basic Income program.
Councillor Laura Ip says those governments have the resources, to Niagara's poverty problem.
She referred to a presentation the committee heard that roughly 40,000 people in Niagara, including children, live on social assistance. "The support they receive through OW [Ontario Works] and ODSP [Ontario Disability Support Program] is not enough to pay rent, buy food, and take care of other basic necessities. Having been there myself, I can assure you people are getting creative with how and when they pay their bills, and what they're choosing in terms of food and for whom."
She pointed out 1,000 people in Hamilton tested a basic income program, reporting better financial stability and access to jobs.
One of her colleagues adds people struggling financially can have a better life through such a program.
Albert Witteveen says he tries to understand the market forces causing poverty. "In my own research and homework, it's proven that when people have a predictable income, they start to think longer than the next day of survival."
The committee heard presentations indicating some people don't have enough to simply pay rent and food. Council discussed a basic income program in 2020.
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