Evelyn Forget: Basic Income in Canada

Poverty is a human rights issue. A “Basic Income” is a policy idea centered on providing all individuals within a society with a regular, unconditional payment from the government. This payment is intended to cover essential living expenses, ensuring everyone has a financial safety net regardless of their employment status, income level, or personal circumstances.From 1974 to 1979 Manitoba experimented with a social program called the Manitoba Basic Annual Income or “Mincome”. Mincome was a landmark study that took place in Dauphin Manitoba and parts of Winnipeg. Evelyn Forget, a distinguished professor of economics and community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba shares her thoughts on the health and social implications of poverty and inequality and why a basic income is important to address those issues.Despite critics who often raise concerns about its cost, potential effects on workforce participation, and implementation challenges, through her research Forget explains that a basic income is a way to reduce poverty and in addition proved that there were actual positive outcomes on the health care system both in reduction of hospital stays and the mental well-being of the residents and the community.Evelyn Forget is the author of “Basic Income for Canadians” and co-author of “Radical Trust: basic income for complicated lives” is often called upon by governments , First Nations and international organizations to advise on poverty, inequality, health and social outcomes. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada.