Evelyn Forget: Basic Income in Canada

Poverty is a human rights issue. A “Basic Income” is a policy idea centered on providing all individuals within a society with a regular, unconditional payment from the government. This payment is intended to cover essential living expenses, ensuring everyone has a financial safety net regardless of their employment status, income level, or personal circumstances.

From 1974 to 1979 Manitoba experimented with a social program called the Manitoba Basic Annual Income or “Mincome”. Mincome was a landmark study that took place in Dauphin Manitoba and parts of Winnipeg. Evelyn Forget, a distinguished professor of economics and community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba shares her thoughts on the health and social implications of poverty and inequality and why a basic income is important to address those issues.

Despite critics who often raise concerns about its cost, potential effects on workforce participation, and implementation challenges, through her research Forget explains that a basic income is a way to reduce poverty and in addition proved that there were actual positive outcomes on the health care system both in reduction of hospital stays and the mental well-being of the residents and the community.

Evelyn Forget is the author of “Basic Income for Canadians” and co-author of “Radical Trust: basic income for complicated lives” is often called upon by governments , First Nations and international organizations to advise on poverty, inequality, health and social outcomes. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

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