OTTAWA - The government's fiscal watchdog says a guaranteed basic income program at the federal level could cut poverty rates in Canada by up to 40 per cent.
So If everyone gets enough money for just enough food and shelter to survive, how do you control that? What if someone gets that money and spends a little too much on something frivolous and can’t afford the rent anymore? Do we still have homeless shelters and food banks to supply those that miss appropriate the funds given to them?
Also a logistical hurdle would be how do you determine who gets how much? Because food and shelter in Vancouver is a lot more expensive than food and shelter in small town Saskatchewan. Since living in Vancouver could be considered a luxury and not exactly necessary, do you only provide money for shelter outside of major metropolitan areas?
So If everyone gets enough money for just enough food and shelter to survive, how do you control that? What if someone gets that money and spends a little too much on something frivolous and can’t afford the rent anymore? Do we still have homeless shelters and food banks to supply those that miss appropriate the funds given to them?
Also a logistical hurdle would be how do you determine who gets how much? Because food and shelter in Vancouver is a lot more expensive than food and shelter in small town Saskatchewan. Since living in Vancouver could be considered a luxury and not exactly necessary, do you only provide money for shelter outside of major metropolitan areas?
The wealthier Vancouver population will pay more in taxes than they receive in UBI; UBI will be a (slight) drain on their economy.
The poorer Saskatchewan population will be receiving more in UBI than they pay in taxes. UBI will be a (slight) boon to their economy.