Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2020  When this government was first elected in 2015 and subsequently in 2019, it rightly identified growing income inequality as a serious threat to a free and democratic society. Several initiatives were taken, including the raising of the upper tax bracket and the lowering of a middle bracket, a worthy initiative.

Bill C-273 An Act to establish a national strategy for a guaranteed basic income

Available on the House of Commons website at the following address: www.ourcommons.ca 2nd Session, 43rd Parliament, 69-70 Elizabeth II, 2020-2021 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-273 An Act to establish a national strategy for a guaranteed basic income Preamble Whereas all Canadians have the right to have their basic needs met, to participate fully in society and to live with dignity, regardless of their employment status; Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to promoting those rights, including by reducing income inequality and other disparities that exist in communities across the country; Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to supporting the workforce of the 21st century by ensuring that program and service delivery structures are more responsive to workforce disruptions, and that the social welfare system is flexible and adaptable; Whereas the Government of Canada is determined to ensure that its social welfare system is updated to meet the current and future needs of Canadians and to realign its program and service delivery structures to maximize Canadians’ ability to innovate; Whereas a guaranteed basic income program could enhance the economy’s ability to grow and improve its productivity; And whereas a guaranteed basic income program could lift many Canadians out of poverty and provide them with the stability they need to access education and employment opportunities and to reach their full potential; Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Short Title Short title 1 This Act may be cited as the National Strategy for a Guaranteed Basic Income Act.

Committees of the House  This is happening in Canada. We need more than awareness; we need action now. We know that income inequality is deeply racialized. This demonstrates a gap between substantive and procedural law. Some codified laws state that all citizens are equal and have equal rights, but in practice it is much more difficult to find secure employment as a member of a BIPOC group.

Finance committee  It makes it a little more difficult to be accountable for it, in part because you have two targets with one tool, but also because you have a target that is not really observable: no one knows what full employment is. When it comes to the other objectives—climate change, income inequality—income inequality is certainly something we can take into account when we pick a framework, but monetary policy is a blunt instrument and can't pick and choose where growth happens.

Business of Supply  These active Liberal programs are the major sound bites of the NDP motion. Therefore, let us address each in greater detail now, beginning with income inequality. Income inequality is a real issue in Canada. It is exactly why our government made as its central focus, supporting the middle class and those working hard to join it. We were elected on that very promise not once but twice, and it remains a key priority.

International Trade committee  They weaken democracy for sure, because they're always negotiated in secret and they bind governments and say that there's a bunch of things that governments can no longer do. They increase income inequality. Every study that's ever been done about income inequality includes trade deals as one of the major features of it. They endanger public services because every trade deal has a ratchet clause that you can privatize but once you've privatized you can't move backwards to bring it back into the public sector.

Agriculture committee  In terms of the link between local capacity and food security, food insecurity is primarily about income inequality rather than a lack of food. Charity models won't get to the root of the problem. Unequal access to land and capital is also an issue for small-scale food producers and processors around the world, including Canada, where farmer debt is a serious concern.

Finance committee  I think this government, from the very beginning when we were elected in 2015—when we increased taxes on the top 1% or reduced them on the middle class and then introduced the Canada child benefit—has been extraordinarily concerned about income inequality. All of our measures are very much concerned about this as well. Is there something we're not doing that we should be doing?

Citizenship and Immigration committee  In particular, racialized Canadians, as we all know, tend to be overrepresented in low-wage jobs or in low income, and they have been disproportionately impacted by the MNI rule. Until Canada dismantles structural disadvantage and ends income inequality, racialized Canadians—especially racialized immigrant women—will be disproportionately excluded from family reunification. We recommend that the MNI be eliminated to make the immigration system more fair and equitable and consistent with an anti-racism and feminist approach.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Introduction of the minimum necessary income and the later 30% increase have been a tremendous hardship for many Canadian residents. Until Canada dismantles structural disadvantage and ends income inequality, racialized Canadians, especially racialized immigrant women, will be disproportionately excluded from family reunification. This has been over the last six to seven years. For this reason, we are again recommending that the minimum necessary income be eliminated to make the immigration system both fair and equitable—

Business of Supply  In Canada, like everywhere else in the world, the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted certain flaws in how our societies are organized and what they prioritize, especially with regard to income inequality. The measures I mentioned earlier have made a real difference in the lives of Canadians, and we must continue to prioritize Canadians if we wish to ensure a lasting, resilient recovery.

Business of Supply  The New Democrats have done a great job of illustrating the money that is being made by some of the richest people in the world. Yes, there is income inequality around the world. Can we point to an example or a number of examples in Canada where companies have been price gouging, perhaps with the grocers? I would genuinely be interested to know what some of those examples are.

Business of Supply  In 2015 with the change in government, some immediate policy decisions were made by the Prime Minister and the government to deal with income inequality. One was the tax break to Canada's middle class, putting hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of Canadians in all regions of our country. The resolution talks about a tax on the wealthiest.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, since day one back in 2015, as a government we have been focused on looking at discrepancies and taking actions against income inequalities. I will get into that when it comes time for me to provide comments. From day one of the pandemic, the government has moved forward with a whole suite of different types of programs to ensure that, no matter what region we are talking about, the Government of Canada was there, working with others, to be there for Canadians.

Taxation  Vulnerable Canadians can rest assured we will be there in their time of need to reduce income inequality and support them with their most basic needs in our communities. If that requires us to ask the wealthy to contribute a bit more, we will not be afraid to make that demand.