Can A Universal Basic Income work in the SRD?

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - One of the most controversial ideas being considered in the SRD’s Poverty Reduction Plan is advocating for a Universal Basic Income (UBI). There are numerous examples showing this is an effective way to riase people out of poverty. The problem is too much of the financial impact may fall on the diminishing middle class ($50,000-$135,000 per anno in BC) rather than the rich who appear to be increasingly growing richer.

Many Cortes Island residents would benefit from a Universal Basic Income. The recent Housing Needs Report states that our median wage was about $15,000 lower than the District’s norm.(1) According to data from the 2021 census, only 27% of the labour force have full time employment. The remainder work part time.(2)

Quadra Island is only marginally better off than Cortes. The median wage was $14,000 lower than the District’s norm and 36% of the labour force had full time jobs.(3)

Both islands also have residents whose take-home income would most likely shrink if a Universal Basic Income were introduced. (Someone has to pay the taxes needed to support such a system!)