The NDP has tabled a document signed by all three parties urging the federal government to adopt a standard basic income.
The all-party report, completed last September, recommended that government ask Ottawa to develop a basic income pilot in Newfoundland and Labrador, top up the disability benefit, and review eligibility thresholds for those programs.
The program would allocate funds to residents based on income, family size, and other criteria.
Finance Minister Craig Pardy previously indicated that adopting a basic income may be a moot point given its failure in other provinces.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn suggests that the program be similar to CERB payments which were made during the COVID pandemic and when businesses were temporarily closed.
“It’s a program that allows, okay, there’s not a callback dollar for dollar, but it actually keeps a stability similar to the CERB payments. But it also allows people if they want, you know, ‘I’m going to go back to school, maybe I’m going to stay home and mind the children more. Maybe I’m going to actually take on that part-time job now, it won’t negatively impact my income.’ So, I think it has real potential to uplift people.”
