Whereas municipalities are increasingly expected to respond to gaps in Canadas social safety net resulting from growing economic, racial and health inequalities; And whereas a basic income program, in addressing key social determinants of health, such as income and housing, can alleviate pressures on municipalities to address poverty and fill gaps in social supports, such as shelter, housing, food security and mental health; And whereas evidence from basic income research and pilots shows that when people have a sufficient and secure income their mental and physical health improves, they have the capacity to secure more affordable, suitable, and safe housing, childcare, healthy food, and transportation, and poverty rates decrease; And whereas the provision of a basic livable income would benefit individuals, families and communities and protect the most vulnerable in society, and support community resilience; And whereas evidence shows that a federally funded basic income that improves peoples financial stability is possible, as successful income transfer programs already exist in Canada for seniors Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement and parents Canada Child Benefit, and to aid in recovery post-COVID Canada Emergency Response Benefit: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Governments of British Columbia and Canada to individually andor collectively implement a Universal Basic Income, ensuring everyone has sufficient income to meet their needs, helping British Columbia and Canada lessen poverty and homelessness, alleviating the pressure on municipalities to use their limited resources to fill gaps in our social safe net.
