“This past year has only intensified the need for the federal government to implement a guaranteed livable basic income. Many people in our country are living paycheque to paycheque, working multiple jobs and struggling to get by,” said Gazan. “CERB has shown us that it is possible to support people in this way. We need to continue with these types of measures permanently to end poverty in Canada.”
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released a report earlier this year highlighting the benefits of implementing an income guarantee that could cut poverty rates in Canada in half, with net zero cost. Despite this, the Prime Minister says he sees no path for basic income.
“The Liberals spend a lot of money on their ultra-wealthy allies, including $18 billion in the past year on subsidies for big oil and gas. Why can’t they spend a portion of this amount to ensure the dignity, security, and human rights of people?”
The motion did not receive unanimous consent in the House on Wednesday afternoon.
New Democrats will continue to fight for all Canadians to make sure they get the help they need, when they need it.
MANITOBA—On Monday, MPs Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) demanded that the federal government take action to end child poverty, citing rising rates in the recently released Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Card. Gazan and Ashton are calling on the government to implement a national school lunch program and a framework for a guaranteed, livable basic income (GLBI).
WINNIPEG – Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan, the NDP’s critic for Women and Gender Equality, is reiterating Jagmeet Singh’s call on the Trudeau Liberals to cover contraception costs as part of the party’s push for a universal pharmacare framework.
“Contraceptives are an essential part of reproductive health for women and gender diverse people,” said Gazan.