Ontario's basic income plan

[freefreefree]

What do you think of the Ontario's basic income plan that might be coming?

[jasperandchar]

can you post a link?

[brunt]

Here's a link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windso...come-1.3490107

It is interesting that the link mentions the previous trial in Dauphin, MB. While hailed as a great success, the trial was only possible due to the rest of Canada subsidizing the citizens of that city. No way that the same thing could work nation-wide - who would subsidize it then - the US? There really is no free lunch for everyone, just the lucky ones.

At best, it could be a cheaper way to deliver the same amount of money currently distributed by the government. If it were indeed to work in this manner it just points out how wasteful government organizations are at redistributing wealth if it is just cheaper to cut everyone a cheque.

While noble goals can always be proposed, the fact of the matter is that everything costs money. They key is to determine from where and/or from whom should the money be taken.

The top marginal rate in Ontario is already over 50%. The rich are not stupid, and are certainly mobile with their money. At the first whiff of dangerous levels of taxation, this money will disappear to more favourable tax jurisdictions. In reality, any "soak the rich" plans, out of necessity, must soak the middle class.

This idea, if implemented on a small scale, will likely be hailed as another success as citizens of one small town are again subsidized by everyone else not included in the trial. If implemented province-wide, will end in disaster.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

[lecale]

Here's a link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windso...come-1.3490107

It is interesting that the link mentions the previous trial in Dauphin, MB. While hailed as a great success, the trial was only possible due to the rest of Canada subsidizing the citizens of that city. No way that the same thing could work nation-wide - who would subsidize it then - the US? There really is no free lunch for everyone, just the lucky ones.

The Mincome Experiment took place from 1974 to 1979 in Dauphin, Manitoba and was meant to determine whether those receiving Guaranteed Basic Income would no longer feel the incentive to work. It gave families three randomly assigned income levels that took into account family structure and normal income received. Those earning above $13,000 in a two-child, two-adult family were excluded from the pilot program and the three guaranteed income levels for everyone else were $3,800, $4,800 and $5,800 with three tax-back rates on every additional dollar earned of 35 per cent, 50 per cent and 75 per cent. The most generous and least generous combinations were not tested and the experiment had a control group that was not eligible.

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/blogs/i...144120414.html

At best, it could be a cheaper way to deliver the same amount of money currently distributed by the government. If it were indeed to work in this manner it just points out how wasteful government organizations are at redistributing wealth if it is just cheaper to cut everyone a cheque.

Personally I think the big problem is this (from your article)

"It's called the welfare wall, a phenomenon where people, even if they could find part-time work or lower paying work — they're actually better off in some ways by staying on social assistance because of those other benefits," she said.

While noble goals can always be proposed, the fact of the matter is that everything costs money. They key is to determine from where and/or from whom should the money be taken.

The top marginal rate in Ontario is already over 50%. The rich are not stupid, and are certainly mobile with their money. At the first whiff of dangerous levels of taxation, this money will disappear to more favourable tax jurisdictions. In reality, any "soak the rich" plans, out of necessity, must soak the middle class.

This idea, if implemented on a small scale, will likely be hailed as another success as citizens of one small town are again subsidized by everyone else not included in the trial. If implemented province-wide, will end in disaster.

I think it could be an excellent program to help more people transition from social assistance to work. People on SA go from having all their needs somewhat taken care of at a basic level, to no safety net at all when they try to return to work. There has to be an easier way to let people transition, so they actually CAN.

[freefreefree]

can you post a link?

Sorry, I have no link. I just heard it from my neighbour. . I mean I don't live in Ontario, but if it comes in effect in Ontario, it might come to BC soon too.

[Freestuffrighthere]

interesting