The Canadian government could take notes from Switzerland, which is the first country to vote on implementing a national guaranteed wage.
Yes, an unconditional monthly income simply for being a tax-paying citizen of a country.
A national wage of 2,500 Swiss francs per month – about $3400 CDN – is being proposed regardless if you are employed or not. Sounds made up, doesn’t it? The measure will go to vote in a referendum this summer.
The proposal would also include an unconditional income for children, who will be awarded a monthly allowance of 625 francs ($845 CDN).
Switzerland has about a quarter of Canada’s population, so one can probably imagine how difficult it would be for our country to consider taking on such an expensive initiative. (Though we do have a chance with Trudeau at the helm). Higher taxes and a large chunk of the country’s social assistance spending would have to be committed to the cause.
A Swiss-based market research company conducted a survey that revealed the majority of Swiss residents believe that they would continue working if the program were approved. Just over half of those surveyed believe the proposal will never pass.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne isn’t opposed to the idea and is considering a similar pilot project that will benefit those who are most in need.
“What we want to do is build up capacity in their lives so they can be successful,” said Premier Wynne in a CBC Radio interview. “My hope is that it is in next year’s budget.”
Of course, there are always people who are against outside-the-box thinking. Progressive Conservative MPP Bill Walker says “this is playing with people’s lives.”
He’s not wrong, I guess, but playing with lives for the better is probably something to consider.
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