National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act

Summary#

Bill S-206 would create a new law called the National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act. It would require the Minister of Finance to develop a framework for a program for people over 17 across Canada; it does not itself establish or pay for that program. The stated goal is to support access to a livable basic income and related health and social supports.

• The minister would have to consult federal and provincial officials, Indigenous Elders and governing bodies, and other relevant people and experts, and consider federal, provincial and Indigenous responsibilities.
• The framework would have to include measures to define a livable income for each region, set national standards for health and social supports, and ensure work, training or education is not a condition of qualifying.
• It would also have to ensure that implementing a basic income program does not reduce services or benefits for exceptional health or disability needs.
• Within a year after the Act comes into force, the minister would have to report the framework to Parliament. The report must be published within 10 days after it has been tabled in both Houses.
• Starting within two years after that report is tabled, the minister would have to review the framework and report to Parliament every year.

What it means for you#

• People over 17: The bill would not give you a payment or create an application process. It would require a framework for a future program, with no requirement to work, train or study to qualify.
• People receiving health or disability services or benefits: The framework would have to include measures to prevent implementation from reducing services or benefits meant for exceptional health or disability needs. The bill does not specify which services or benefits are covered.
• Indigenous communities and governments: The minister would have to consult Indigenous Elders and governing bodies and consider Indigenous governments’ responsibilities. The bill does not set out how their input would affect the framework.
• Federal government: The Minister of Finance would have duties to develop the framework, consult, consider jurisdictional responsibilities, and prepare and publish reports. The bill does not create a new agency.

Money#

No cost information is in the available material.

• The bill requires the minister to develop the framework and prepare reports, but gives no estimate for staff, consultation or other costs.
• It does not set payment amounts, appropriate money for a basic income program, or change taxes, fees or benefits.

What is unclear#

• The supplied text does not state whether the bill has passed or when it would come into force. Its deadlines begin only after it comes into force.
• The bill does not establish a basic income program or explain how one would be funded, delivered or made available to eligible people.
• It does not define how “livable” income would be calculated, or set amounts for different regions.
• It does not explain how the national standards would guide provinces or how the proposed program would interact with existing services and benefits.
• “Exceptional needs” and “other relevant stakeholders” are not defined.

Case for#

• The bill appears intended to create a national plan before a basic income program is implemented, including attention to regional living costs.
• A possible argument for the approach is that the required consultations and consideration of governments’ responsibilities could help account for different needs and jurisdictions.
• Requiring that work or study not be a condition, and that certain health and disability supports not be reduced, could help protect people the framework is intended to serve.
• Regular reports could make the framework’s development and effectiveness visible to Parliament.

Case against#

• The bill requires a framework, not a guaranteed payment. It does not ensure that a program will be implemented or say when people might receive support.
• The bill leaves major design and funding choices to later work, including payment amounts, eligibility rules and how the program would operate.
• The required protections for health and disability services are not tied to named services, enforcement or a way to resolve disputes.
• Annual reviews would report on the framework’s effectiveness, but the bill does not specify measures of success or require changes in response to findings.