Every Canadian deserves the security of a guaranteed income and a safe, affordable place to call home. Together, Universal Basic Income and Affordable Housing policies will work to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Universal Basic Income (UBI): Guarantee Basic Economic Security
- Implement a Universal Basic Income, also known as a Guaranteed Livable Income, providing all Canadians with a reliable, unconditional source of income to meet basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and healthcare—no matter their work status.
- Simplify and integrate fragmented social programs into a single, efficient system to provide predictable, non-stigmatizing support, reducing bureaucratic red tape and administration costs.
- Prioritize those most marginalized—disabled Canadians, seniors, youth, and unpaid caregivers—who too often fall through the cracks of the current system.
- Empower individuals to pursue education, entrepreneurship, and caregiving without fear of losing income support, unlocking the full potential of Canadians and fueling innovation, particularly in green tech and community-led initiatives.
- Build on the success of pilot projects like Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot, and incorporate community-led, Indigenous, and evidence-based input into program design and delivery.
Affordable Housing & Ending Homelessness: Housing is a Human Right
- Declare housing a human right and act immediately to address homelessness and the housing affordability crisis.
- Fast-track the development of deeply affordable housing, focusing on non-profit, co-operative, and community land trusts, rather than profit-driven real estate speculators.
- Invest federal funding in the construction of co-op housing and non-market rental units, with green building standards that reduce costs for tenants and cut carbon emissions.
- Implement a National Housing Strategy that places people before profit, with long-term affordability locked into housing developments and protections against gentrification and displacement.
- Provide energy-efficient retrofits to existing affordable housing stock, reducing utility costs for tenants while helping Canada meet its climate targets.
- Prioritize housing for marginalized populations, including Indigenous communities, seniors, disabled Canadians, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and women-led households, ensuring no one is left behind.
A solution that pays itself
Universal Basic Income is not just about fighting poverty; it is also a smart economic policy. It stimulates local economies by giving people the financial security to pursue education, caregiving, entrepreneurship, and meaningful work without fear of falling through the cracks.
A 2020 report by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis indicates that a basic income could grow Canada’s economy by $80 billion annually and create approximately 600,000 jobs within five years.
Research suggests that a Guaranteed Livable Income not only addresses poverty but also stimulates economic growth, job creation, and improved health outcomes, contributing to a more resilient and equitable society.
