Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) EKIOC December 2, 2015

BIG Concept Provides a basic minimum income: a cash transfer from government to citizens not tied to labour market participation Would establish an income floor for every resident of Canada, regardless of work status No household income would fall below a level that is considered adequate for basic needs

Why? Income: the key Social Determinant of Health – The social determinants of health account for 50% of what makes us sick

Health Gaps in LGL

Current Programs and Initiatives Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program Sexual Health Clinic Services Ability to waive fees for some services, including prenatal classes Smartworks Low cost rabies clinics Dental Programs: CINOT and HSO NRT priority population pilot Community partnerships like the LG Poverty Reduction Alliance

Why BIG? Income is the root cause of hunger, and influences many poor health outcomes Current minimum wage rates and social assistance programs are insufficient Transparent and universal, less stigmatizing Would protect our most vulnerable against volatility in income, including unexpected job loss

What about the cost? BIG has a significant cost, however, the indirect costs of poverty are very high – 20% of over $200 billion annual healthcare costs can be attributed to socio-economic disparities in Canada – Indirect costs of poverty were estimated to be % of the 2007 Ontario GDP Redirecting this money could help break the cycle of poverty

Success Stories Old Age Security Pension (OAS) – Federal supplement for low income seniors – Guaranteed income for people 65 and older – As a result, only 5.9% of older Canadians live below the poverty line (one of the lowest rates of elder poverty in the world) “MINCOME” Project in Dauphin, Manitoba (1970’s) – Retrospective evaluation published in 2011

Some Supporting Organizations National – CMA – CPHA – CASW Provincial – aLPHa – OPHA – OSNPPH – CAMH – RNAO (in progress) – Other Health Units SMDHU Timiskaming

Action from the Board Endorse Basic Income Guarantee The Board of Health approved a motion to write a letter to: – Federal Ministers responsible for Families, Children and Social Development; Employment, Workforce and Labour and Health – Ontario Ministers Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Labour, Children and Youth Services, and Health and Long-Term Care – Copy: The Premier of Ontario, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Ontario Public Health Association, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Action from the Board In the letter: – Urge the prioritization of joint federal-provincial consideration and investigation into a basic income guarantee as a policy option for reducing poverty and income insecurity and for providing opportunities for those in low income

Questions Thank you!