MP Elizabeth May: Guaranteed Annual Income w/ Irene Mathyssen (June 20, 2011)

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, GP): Mr. Speaker, in this important debate, I would be interested to know if the hon. member and her caucus have been considering the advantages of a nationwide guaranteed annual income or guaranteed livable income that would apply to all Canadians without a needs test.

Ms. Irene Mathyssen: Mr. Speaker, that is a thoughtful question. Of course, a guaranteed annual income is something that has come up over the decades quite consistently with New Democrats and, I suspect, with others. When one considers the advantages of making sure there is adequate income, the advantages are profound. I go back to the first question with regard to ensuring the health and welfare of members of our community. People simply cannot manage. They cannot raise kids, look for work, or be contributors to the society and economy that are depending on them if they are constantly worried about income. As I pointed out, the cost of poverty in this country is reckoned to be about $30 billion. We cannot afford that; we can only afford to look after people.

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[echewter1]

@SmileyGarrish Thank you for saying it! I had to go on welfare to get through high school, and I will never forget that awful experience of having only about 15$ after rent and utility bills every month. If my school hadn't fed me I would have had nothing to eat. And then to have to endure that awful shaming glare anytime it was revealed to someone that you were on welfare.

[SmileyGarrish]

A single disabled person (known as a Person With Disabilities in BC) is entitled to $900 per month in this province. An apartment in Victoria or anywhere else, is at least $700: The government provides $375 for shelter. The archaic notion that 'welfare' is a boon and free ride is nonsense. Welfare is an excuse used to stop caring for others, an excuse for government to say 'look we care' when in fact it amounts to malnutrition, isolation, shame, depression and disease. A Just Society? - my ass.