Basic Income In Canada

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Despite a bureaucratic nightmare of programs designed to reduce poverty, the percentage of low-income Canadians has increased slightly from 12.8% in 2000 to 13.5% in 2013 (Younglai). If Canada does not fix its welfare system, in the future poverty will likely grow at a much faster rate because of job shortages caused by automation (Walker 6). This poverty has a host of undesirable effects. For example, studies show that child poverty negatively impacts health, academic achievement and future occupational status (“Children in Poverty” 2). For my argumentative research essay I will attempt to solve these issues by arguing that Canada should implement basic income. Basic income is an unconditional monthly payment given to every Canadian, …show more content…

I will analyze the ways poverty and economic inequality take a toll on one’s life, and how basic income will fight these issues. I will also investigate how basic income will allow for greater personal autonomy. For example, when Canadians have their essential needs covered by basic income they will be freer to pursue higher education or leave workplaces with poor working conditions. In this section I will also refute some common arguments against basic income and I will use statistics from basic income pilots to support my points. While improving the lives of Canadians is one positive aspect of basic income, another advantage is that it will strengthen the …show more content…

In an article on technological unemployment Walker explains, “Not only will we see a radical reduction in the need for human employment in manufacturing, distribution, transportation and agriculture, but in more “cerebral” professions as well. There are medical programs that outperform even experienced physicians in diagnosing disease” (6). While automation is inevitable, basic income will help ease the transition by reducing poverty and political unrest because those who cannot find a job will still earn a livable income. Although basic income will prepare society for technological unemployment, this is only one of the many benefits.

In order to solve several pressing economic issues and prepare for problems we expect to experience in the future, I argue that Canada should implement basic income. In my essay I will show how basic income will improve lives, strengthen the economy, and prepare society for technological unemployment. Poverty is a systemic issue, and as a result, it can only be effectively fought by reforming the system that created it. Through policy propositions like basic income we can begin to see what it will take to make the utopian dream of eradicating poverty a

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