Urging Ontario and Canada to collaborate on designing and implementing a Guaranteed Basic Income
General Committee makes recommendations; City Council makes the final decision.
Council approved this on March 30, 2026 as part of its consent agenda, without a separate vote. See the consent vote →
Councillor Votes
Full Resolution Text
WHEREAS: 1. Poverty and income insecurity continue to negatively impact the health and well-being of residents in Peterborough and across Ontario; 2. Municipal governments bear significant costs from the downstream effects of poverty, including increased demand for social services, emergency shelters, and community programs; 3. Evidence from the Ontario Basic Income Pilot (2017–2019) and comparable programs demonstrated meaningful improvements in health, housing stability, and food security among participants; 4. A Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) requires collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to design, fund, and implement effectively; and 5. Municipalities, as the order of government closest to residents, are well- positioned to advocate for income security policies that reflect local needs. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Council urges the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to collaborate on the design, funding, and implementation of a Guaranteed Basic Income for all Canadian residents; 2. Council calls upon the Province of Ontario to reinstate a basic income pilot with a view to province-wide implementation; and 3. The Clerk be directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Premier of Ontario, the Prime Minister of Canada, our local MPP and MP, relevant federal and provincial Ministers, AMO and FCM, and to share it with all Ontario municipalities for endorsement.