The Canadian state of Ontario has put pen to paper in the 2016 budget document the desire to experiment with citizenship income, i.e. the payment to all citizens, regardless of their economic, patrimonial or family situation, of a monthly contribution in money.
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The Canadian state ofOntario has put pen to paper in the official 2016 budget document the desire to experiment with citizenship income, that is the payment to all citizens, regardless of their economic, property or family situation, of a monthly cash contribution.
According to its supporters, the citizenship income would help reduce the burden of red tape and guarantee all citizens a level of basic support, so as to fight poverty and marginalization more effectively. According to its detractors, however, the measure would risk translating into a waste of public money and a deterrent to job seekers for the unemployed.
For the moment, Ontario has not disclosed further details: the project is probably still to be defined, given that the budget document states that the Government will work with communities, with researchers and all other interested parties. to understand how to best set up the experimentation.
Citizenship income, in fact, can have different forms and applications: for example, it can replace the system of subsidies and benefits already provided by a State, or add to it or parts of it. And, of course, there is no rule on the amount that should be paid monthly to citizens.
"While Ontario's economy grows," - reads the Canadian state budget document - "the Government maintains its commitment to don't leave anyone behind. Providing an effective social safety net is part of the government's broader effort to reduce poverty and ensure inclusion in the community and the economy. "
"The pilot project will test an increasingly held view at home and abroad that basic income could […] provide more consistent and reliable support in the extremely dynamic environment of today's labor market." - the document continues - “The pilot will also have the task of verifying whether the basic income is a more efficient tool to support citizens' income, strengthen participation in the labor market and allow for savings that can be used in other sectors, such as healthcare or housing. "
Representatives of the Canadian federal government have said they are in favor of a discussion on citizenship income and have assured that they will pay attention to the trial that will take place in Ontario and its conclusions.
The choice of the Government of Ontario adds to that already made by Finland, which at the end of 2015 announced the launch, by 2016, of a experimentation on citizenship income, to test its sustainability and feasibility.
Lisa Vagnozzi
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