BASIC INCOME NL

An opportunity for a just and equitable recovery.

Poverty in this province is a public health crisis.

Basic income is an opportunity to rebalance our province’s social and economic models, which leave thousands of people behind. Nobody in Newfoundland and Labrador should be forced to choose between vital medical care, heating their home, or having enough food to eat. There are many complex issues that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians face, and a basic income is not a solution for all of them - but largely eliminating poverty in this province would certainly be a good start. That is what a basic income would do.

What is a basic income?

the Basics of Basic Income:

Basic income **provides cash transfers** from government to people to prevent anyone from not being able to pay for basic needs.
These cash transfers are usually an amount that brings a recipient’s income to **meet the poverty line**.
Studies have shown that a Basic Income not only **keeps people out of poverty**, but also allows them to pursue further educational and employment goals.

How it works:

We suggest a model based on a Refundable Tax Credit (RTC), which provides an income for everyone.
Using the RTC model, the Basic Income provided to a person would **have to be refunded** **if their income exceeded the threshold**.
If implemented, this model would replace our current Income Support system and dramatically **reduce the cost of poverty**.

Basic Income Helps Everyone:

A Basic Income would ensure that **everyone is able to meet their basic needs**, regardless of their ability to work.
When we prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable, we pave the way for a **just and equitable society**.
Implementing Basic Income will **not cost more for government or tax payers**.

Photo features a person standing with a brick building in the background. There is a sign in front of their face that reads, "Basic Income has a BIG difference in my daily life. On shelter, school, food that will last throughout the month. this was a great income for me, it made me happier to the point where I don't have to worry about running low."

Photo features a person in a leather jacket and a baseball cap standing in front of a maple tree. He is holding a sign that reads, "Basic Income helped me to move into safer and clean housing, as well as finally be able to buy Christmas and birthday presents for my children."

Photo features a person standing on a bridge by a river. They are holding a sign that covers their face, which reads, "Basic Income was how I was going to get back into school to work towards a better career. After working for over a decade building my career, only to be derailed by company closures and bankruptcies, Basic Income was going to help drag me out of the swamp of unstable work, and allow me to work towards a more stable career and a better life,"

Photo features a person in a dark button-up shirt standing in front a brick wall. He is holding a sign that says, "The Basic Income gave me enough money to get my teeth fixed after being in pain, debt, and uninsured for two years."

Photo features a person in a navy t-shirt holding a sign that reads, "Basic Income has helped me achieve my goal of graduating from college. It has helped by going through school with a lot less stress. I am achieving my goals for success. I am very thankful and grateful for the Basic Income project."

Photo features a person with blonde hair standing in front of a body of water. They are holding a sign that reads, "Basic income was helping me as a single parent to recover and rebuild myself as a professional artisan after a business closure, a serious injury with no benefits, and low wage employment. It was my last lifeline and hope for a better future."

share your story

We’d like to hear from you. If Basic Income had been a reality before the pandemic, what would 2020 have looked like for you? How would things be different? Feel free to share your story in the form below.

Note: all submissions will be anonymous and might be used for future Basic Income campaign work. To protect your confidentiality, please do not include any identifying information in your submission.