A federal government minister has indicated it is open to talking about a guaranteed basic income (GBI) pilot with the province of Prince Edward Island.
An income guarantee is a cash transfer paid to adults whose income falls under a certain threshold. In the fall, a group of researchers, economists, civil servants and political leaders from across the country produced a report that said P.E.I. would be an ideal testing ground for such a program.
It also outlined how a pilot project would work on P.E.I., including administering payments through the tax system like other income-tested programs, including the GST rebate or Canada Child Benefit.
The province supports the idea, but has said such a program would also need the federal government on board as a funding partner.
