Ottawa ‘isn't interested’ in funding P.E.I.’s guaranteed basic income pilot, minister says
CBC
Prince Edward Island's social development minister says the federal government isn't interested in funding the province's guaranteed basic income pilot project — at least not right now.
It’s been nearly a decade since P.E.I. MLAs unanimously supported the idea of working with the federal government to create a basic income pilot project.
The idea is to guarantee a minimum amount of money in government support each month to cover the cost of basics like food, housing and clothing for Islanders who need it.
During Tuesday’s question period in the provincial legislature, Green Party MLA Karla Bernard asked Social Development Minister Barb Ramsay if she would be the minister to implement this project.
“I went to Ottawa two weeks ago, and I met with the minister, and it isn't great news. This project is going to be a $244-million project annually,” Ramsay said.
“At this time Ottawa isn’t interested in being part of this program. I’m going to continue to support and work with you, but I don’t have much support on the other end right now.”
Bernard replied that if Ramsay truly believed it was a good idea, she would find a way to implement the program.
“If you were innovative, you could look at what we offer and make it happen,” Bernard said.
She then asked Premier Rob Lantz if he has the political will to invest in a project “that would transform the lives of so many Islanders.”
Ramsay responded to the question instead.
“My budget right now is $214 million, this program alone would be $244 million. If I could do it, I would definitely do it."
Bernard said many Islanders would support the province in securing funding for the pilot project, including some who came to watch proceedings in the legislature like Marie Burge with the P.E.I. Working Group for a Livable Income.
Speaking with CBC News after question period, Burge said despite the news from the minister, her group is going to keep fighting.
“It's not something I rejoice about, to hear something like that, but that's not going to stop us,” she said.
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