Join Us for a Policy Discussion: Basic Income Guarantee and Health: BIG Promise or a BIG Problem?

On Tuesday, March 13th from 8:00 am to 11:30 am – please plan on joining the BC Alliance for Healthy Living at the downtown Vancouver Public Library for an engaging discussion on the prospects of a Basic Income Guarantee as a policy lever to reduce poverty and improve health outcomes.

The health implications of poverty place a terrible burden on people, families, communities and the healthcare system. With a new Poverty Reduction Strategy in development, now is the time to consider new approaches and learn from other places. The idea of a Basic Income Guarantee is gaining attention but still has mixed reviews and many unknowns.

The discussion will include presentations from experts who can explain the evidence in support of a Basic Income Guarantee as well as why it has faced opposition. We’ll hear about Ontario’s pilot projects that are currently testing Basic Income Guarantee in three Ontario communities to see the difference it makes in the lives of real people. We’ll also hear about some of the challenges with the current Income Assistance system.

Panelists include:

• Dr. Kwame Mckenzie, CEO of the Wellesley Institute and Special Advisor to the Ontario Basic Income Pilot
• Dr. John Millar, Member of the Minister’s Advisory Forum on Poverty Reduction
• Jenna van Draanen, Board Member, Basic Income Canada Network
• Margot Young, Professor in the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia

Participants will be encouraged to share their own expertise on poverty reduction and insights on Basic Income Guarantee. We invite you to join in the conversation!

Details: Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 8:00-11:30 am Alma VanDusen Room, Vancouver Public Library, 350 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

Deadline to register: Tuesday, March 6th Please RSVP to Brenda Bedford at bbedford@bchealthyliving.ca