The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed how our economic policies and social programs are failing millions of Canadians and are contributing to disgraceful levels of income inequality in our country.
Canadians need bold and thoughtful measures to invest in the human capital of our country, to eliminate poverty, to improve health and education outcomes, and to provide real economic opportunity to all.
In accordance with our commitment to advancing economic and social justice in Canada, the United Steelworkers union is proud to endorse Motion 46 Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, submitted by Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre Leah Gazan on August 10, 2020, to convert the Canada Emergency Response Benefit into a permanent Guaranteed Livable Basic Income.
A Guaranteed Livable Basic Income is an important step in eradicating poverty and strengthening our current economic safety net. Motion 46 addresses protections for all individuals in cases of future pandemics, natural disasters, increasing industry automation and job loss.
Alongside a just labour market and living wage, a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income will help to ensure all Canadians are able to live with dignity and human rights, including responding to Call for Justice 4.5 of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which calls on the federal government to implement a guaranteed annual livable income.
The United Steelworkers union encourages its members and all Canadians to sign in support of Motion 46 at www.leahgazan.ca/basicincomemotion and to write to their Members of Parliament in support of Motion 46.
In solidarity,
Ken Neumann
United Steelworkers National Director
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