How many more times will we extend CERB before we bite the bullet to deliver UBI? Imagine all the benefits to individuals, the radical simplification of tax credits and means tested programs, and the societal benefits. Let’s build the future now. #cdnpoli https://twitter.com/pnpcbc/status/1272914684031766528

Entrepreneurship: People with UBI will have basic income security that allows them to take a risk to invest their time and ingenuity in new ventures. The children of wealth have that security provided for them.

Civic Engagement: With basic income security, more people will have more time to invest in being active citizens in their communities. See the people protesting and making change? That happens in part because the pandemic has forced a pause. People have time and attention.

Caring: With basic income, more people can afford to take meaningful but underpaid essential services work, including caring for children, the elderly and the vulnerable.

Health: With basic income security, poverty should be eliminated alleviating a major driver of bad health outcomes and with it the costs of an overburdened and inefficient system.

Lifelong Learning: With basic income security, more people will be able to take a break and upgrade their skills, do that research they want to dig into, or write that book they have in them.

Criminality: With basic income security, the economic stresses that drive criminality are reduced. What are the savings in policing, prosecution and incarceration?

Addiction/Mental Health: With basic income security, reduced stress and panic around losing a job or navigating a career transition should reduce mental health issues. It also provides basic stability that supports treatment.

Housing: With basic income security, no one should be homeless. No one. See social determinants of health.

With so many potential benefits of UBI, a crisis clearly demonstrating the need and CERB as a prototype to evaluate, why haven’t we made the leap yet? Because UBI disrupts so much entrenched power simultaneously. Not just the wealthy, but also the failed institutions. #cdnpoli