Human Resources committee  I'm going to don my political scientist's cap to talk about public policy. In terms of methodology, like Quebec, a few provinces have programs. I would tend to have a quick meeting to compare the existing program statements and the different parameters that apply. Once this first meeting is done, it would be very realistic to take stock of the situation, unless that's already been done.

Human Resources committee  Can you repeat your question?

Human Resources committee  I will found my response on Quebec's basic income program. In today's dollars, and not counting the indexation will be applied in January 2023, a single person will be eligible for an annual income of $13,656. This will go up $337 per month for a single person. Obviously, that's a bonus for a single person, not a penalty for a couple.

Human Resources committee  That's a very big question you're asking me. I don't pretend to have a complete answer, but the concept of intergovernmental coordination comes to mind. On this issue, perhaps more than many others, we're going to need intergovernmental coordination, and we'll also have to define the parameters of that coordination.

Human Resources committee  We're talking about a “dispenser”-type public policy. At some point, transfers will undoubtedly be made to the provinces and territories. Of course, each province and territory has its own realities. For Quebec, because of the basic income program, we should reach the low-income threshold as early as January 2023.

Human Resources committee  I know that it's been discussed with various groups, but I don't have any more details. You would have to ask the Quebec government directly.

Human Resources committee  That's probably a realistic wish. In Quebec, the regulations for the basic income program have been developed and adopted, and the first cheques will be mailed out as early as January 2023. As long as everything is ready in Quebec, I see no reason why we couldn't harmonize the Canada disability benefit and basic income program as early as fall 2023.

Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Lupien and Mr. Chair. The Confédération is of the opinion that passing Bill C‑22 without amendment before the holiday season would be a beautiful gift for many people with disabilities. Involving these individuals as equal partners in the process of co‑creating regulations, in the spirit of “for us, by us”, would certainly be a great way to go.