The three-year basic income pilot project, which cost $50 million annually, was designed by Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government with help from former PC senator Hugh Segal. It gave single participants just under $17,000 annually and couples just over $24,000 in hopes the money — about double standard welfare rates — would boost their odds of finding employment and improving their housing, health and nutrition.
It's now cancelled, contrary to election promises and despite strong opposition from the Green and Liberal parties and income security advocacy groups.
Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod said people taken off the pilot program will be treated “ethically and humanely.”
“If they are eligible for Ontario Works, for example, we’ll repatriate them on to that program” or help with the Ontario Student Assistance Program," she said.
Read the full story about the cancelled basic income program as reported by the Toronto Star.