BILL S-233
An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livability basic income
First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,
70 Elizabeth II, 2021
SENATE OF CANADA
Milton Friedman stated in Capitalism and Freedom
The free man will ask neither what his country can do for him nor what he can do for his country. He will ask rather “What can I and my compatriots do through government” to help us discharge our individuals responsibilities, to achieve our several goals and purposes, and above all, to protect our freedom? And he will accompany this question with another: How can we keep the government we create from becoming a Frankenstein that will destroy the very freedom we establish it to project? Freedom is a rate and delicate plant. Our minds tell us, and history confirms, that the great treat to freedom is the concentration of power. Government is necessary to preserve our freedom, it is an instrument through with we can exercise our freedom; yet by concentrating power in political hands, it is power initially be for good will an even thought they be not corrupted by the power they exercise, the power will both attract and form men of different stamp.
Milton Friedman
The role of government is to empower its constituent by providing opportunities: opportunities for life (via hospitals and healthcare system), for education (with schools), and movement (by building highways and airports).
Providing a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income may seems a noble pursuit with good intentions, but a blanket approach to social welfare measure will lead to perverse effects in our economies. Any social welfare approach needs to be targeted to the intended audience with measurable benefits. If not, it will disincentivize capital endeavors and innovations.the people of Canada, know that our government is overburdening with debts and obligations. We know that the government have no intention of paying back those debts and incapable of meeting their future obligations. We know the government is looking a way to substitute social securities (e.g. old-age pension) with a blanket solution, while stealthily defaulting themselves on their own obligations. We also know that after establishing a dependence on this program, access will be tie to social conditions. We know those conditions will be gradual at first (e.g. filling taxes), but will rapidly evolve to a wide range of conditions from adopting a digital ID to performing community services, and ultimately a social credit system – a Frankenstein that will destroy the very freedom we establish it to project.
There is an alternative solution to this conundrum: Martin Armstrong, world renown economist and trading advisor, propose to convert government’s bonds into perpetual bonds with an annuity and rein-in government spending (i.e. smaller government). But such solution requires the courage to choose the hard road, not the easy road of good intentions.
BILL S-233An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income
FIRST READING, DECEMBER 16, 2021
THE HONOURABLE SENATOR Pate
4412114
SUMMARY
This enactment requires the Minister of Finance to develop a national framework to provide all persons over the age of 17 in Canada with access to a guaranteed livable basic income. It also provides for reporting requirements with respect to the framework.
Available on the Senate of Canada website at the following address : www.sencanada.ca/en
1st Session, 44th Parliament,
70 Elizabeth II, 2021
SENATE OF CANADA
BILL S-233
An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income
Preamble
Whereas every person should have access to a livable basic income;
Whereas the provision of a guaranteed livable basic income would go a long way toward eradicating poverty and improving income equality, health conditions and educational outcomes;
Whereas the provision of a guaranteed livable basic income would benefit individuals, families and communities and protect those who are made most vulnerable in society, while facilitating the transition to an economy that responds to the climate crisis and other current major challenges;
And whereas a guaranteed livable basic income program implemented through a national framework would ensure the respect, dignity and security of all persons in Canada;
Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short Title
Short title
1 This Act may be cited as the National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act.
Interpretation
Definitions
2 The following definitions apply in this Act.
Indigenous governing body means a council, government or other entity that is authorized to act on behalf of an Indigenous group, community or people that holds rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. (corps dirigeant autochtone)
Minister means the Minister of Finance. (ministre)
National Framework
Development
3 (1) The Minister must develop a national framework for the implementation of a guaranteed livable basic income program throughout Canada for any person over the age of 17, including temporary workers, permanent residents and refugee claimants.
Consultation
(2) In developing the framework, the Minister must consult with the Minister of Health, the ministers responsible for employment, social development and disability, representatives of the provincial governments responsible for health, disability, education and social development, Indigenous elders, Indigenous governing bodies and other relevant stakeholders, including policy developers and political decision-makers, as well as experts in other guaranteed livable basic income programs.
Content
(3) The framework must include measures
- (a) to determine what constitutes a livable basic income for each region in Canada, taking into account the goods and services that are necessary to ensure that individuals can lead a dignified and healthy life, as well as the cost of those goods and services in accessible markets;
- (b) to create national standards for health and social supports that complement a guaranteed basic income program and guide the implementation of such a program in every province;
- (c) to ensure that participation in education, training or the labour market is not required in order to qualify for a guaranteed livable basic income; and
- (d) to ensure that the implementation of a guaranteed livable basic income program does not result in a decrease in services or benefits meant to meet an individual’s exceptional needs related to health or disability.
Reports to Parliament
Tabling of framework
4 (1) Within one year after the day on which this Act comes into force, the Minister must prepare a report setting out the framework, including any social, health and economic conclusions and recommendations related to its development, and cause the report to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report is completed.
Publication
(2) The Minister must publish the report on the website of the Department of Finance within 10days after the report has been tabled in both Houses of Parliament.
Report
5 Within two years after the report referred to in section 4 has been tabled in both Houses of Parliament, and every year after that, the Minister must, in consultation with the parties referred to in subsection 3(2), undertake a review of the effectiveness of the framework, prepare a report setting out the social, health and economic findings and recommendations related to the implementation and effectiveness of the framework, and cause the report to be tabled in each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after it is completed.
Source: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/bill/S-233/first-reading
Published under authority of the Senate of Canada
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