Yet a basic income program — whether needs-based or universal, with the amount paid to higher income earners recouped through taxes — would be more complex than it seems, the report said. A report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimated a national guaranteed basic income would cost about $88 billion in 2022-2023. The idea of a guaranteed basic income program gained renewed interest during the pandemic. government commissioned an expert panel to study basic income, including the feasibility of a program and the potential to reduce poverty. It found that shifting to basic income would be a complex undertaking and not necessarily the most cost-effective way to reach poverty goals.

Source: CBC News June 16, 2022 21:05 UTC