Wealth Tax Letter to Department of Finance // Guaranteed Livable Income Update with Senator Kim Pate

To Department of Finance Budget Consultation:

When my three very concerned young adults read to me about record high earnings for shareholders with yet another big business while so many Canadians are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads it makes me sad that this is the reality of the world they are growing up in.

I get tired of explaining that despite the desperately urgent need for change, the government historically favours the rich and perpetuates disadvantage to the poor.

I feel discouraged by the gross inequality built right into our economic system.

I have worn a groove in my tongue telling them that I still truly believe that change for a better tomorrow is possible while they continue to search everywhere for signs, even glimmers, that a more just world is coming.

I remind them to hold space for positive outcomes and that the first step towards making change is acknowledging things as they are.

Canada's economic system is incredibly unjust.

The time for a transition to a more equitable tomorrow for all citizens is now.

The vast majority of Canadians support a wealth tax as a means of bringing about a more fair and more sustainable future.

Funds generated could be utilized to implement an urgently needed basic income which PEI is ready and willing to roll out in a five year demonstration project.

As well, monies generated could help us all transition away from fossil fuels to a more green economy. We could improve social safety nets. We could invest in the arts.

I implore this government to keep your campaign promise to tax the rich.

We have failed the next generation on so many fronts. Implementation of a wealth tax could give them much needed hope that a new way forward is still possible.

Thanks for reading this. Please do the right thing and implement a wealth tax.

Jill M. MacCormack

And from Senator Kim Pate's office news release:

The Honourable Kim Pate, C.M. | L’honorable Kim Pate,C.M.

Senator for Ontario | Sénatrice pour l’Ontario

News Release

Bill S-233 Proposes National Guaranteed Livable Basic Income to Address Inequality and Division

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022—This afternoon, Ottawa Senator Kim Pate

opened debate in the Senate on legislation urging the government to implement guaranteed livable basic income.

In the streets outside the Senate, the consequences of failing to address health, social and

economic inequities unfold. While the siege of Ottawa continues to underscore the ways in

which the impact of decades of economic policies that intentionally disadvantage the most

dispossessed are being exploited and amplified by some, the imperative of eliminating poverty and inequality has never been more clear.

While government policies continue to ignore those in need, abandon people to poverty and eave too many as easy prey for populist opportunists, Senator Pate and Treaty One Territory MP Leah Gazan are urging parliamentarians to pave a path forward via Bill S-233in the Senate and Bill C-223in the House of Commons on guaranteed livable basic income.

In order to ensure that everyone has the economic means to care for themselves, their families and their communities, and that no one has to fear being suddenly left with nothing,they are calling for income supports sufficient to live on and available to anyone below the poverty line.

“It is an honour to work with Senator Pate, GLBI advocates and organizations to ensure that noone in Canada is left behind,” says MP Leah Gazan. “We need a GLBI that builds upon our existing social safety net to ensure dignity, security and human rights for all.”

“It is time for policies that meaningfully counter poverty, inequality and marginalization,"

concludes Senator Pate. “It is time for guaranteed livable basic income.”

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For more information:

Emily Grant

Office of Senator Kim Pate

emily.grant@sen.parl.gc.ca

613-995-9220

To hear Senator Kim Pate open debate please click here. It is a relatively short, very worthy listen.

Senate of Canada Twitter notification of second reading of Senate bill S-233 on Guaranteed Livable Income

https://twitter.com/SenateCA/status/1496985173056962566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Thanks for reading dear friends both near and further flung!

In warmth,

Jill