Kitchener council pressing province, feds for universal basic income

It's all about creating options for those without a source of income during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kitchener city council has endorsed a motion, asking the Ontario government to pursue a partnership with their federal counterparts to establish a Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Ward 7 councillor Bil Ioannidis put the motion forward Monday, saying he wanted to get the conversation going, and wants a broader discussion on the topic.

He says UBI could be an option for helping those who are still without a job during this pandemic, making it a possibility to help them out.

Ioannidis says at this rate, things are going to be the way they are until they find a vaccine.

“Until we find that vaccine, businesses are still going to be suffering, people are going to lose their jobs or continue to be unemployed,” he adds.

“So, how are we going to service all these people? How will we help them?”

Ioannidis says UBI is an answer to all of this, claiming there are multiple benefits to having a universal basic income, including bringing out the entrepreneur in someone and even our birth rate.

“Individuals who are concerned about raising children in tough economic times, I think this will help alleviate that as well,” he indicated.

“I think there's a lot of pluses to it.”

The councillor adds there were a lot of varying opinions at the council table, but believes everyone accepted the idea of it.

However, Ioannidis says some questioned whether the timing of the motion was right.

“I think it's great timing, considering we're in an economic situation that we've never seen before,” he said, “During these times of uncertainty, people focus on all levels of government to help them for funding. I thought it was the perfect time.”

Nonetheless, the motion passed by a vote of 8-3.