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WEBCAST: Why can’t they just send us all a cheque? Debating a crisis basic income
In this webcast moderated by Max Bell School Director Chris Ragan, watch Jennifer Robson, Associate Professor at Carleton University, and Ken Boessenkool, public-policy economist, discuss the complexity of delivering government benefits during a crisis.
A crisis basic income would cover almost all Canadians who are working, is automatic rather than application-based, and can be taxed, or clawed back when Canadians file their taxes next year. Ken Boessenkool believes this is the best way ±«ÓãÖ±²¥.
On the other hand, Jennifer Robson argues that Canada’s tax collector does not have a super-database that it can use, on demand, to just print cheques to everyone. Moreover, spending time and money to build one, in the middle of a crisis, would be unethical.
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This webcast is open to the public. Priority during the Q&A section of this webcast will be given to Max Bell MPP students. You can access the full series of briefs and webinars for the Policy Challenges During a Pandemic series here and sign up to receive email updates about this series here.
Policy Challenges During a Pandemic
Policy Challenges During a Pandemic is a series of webinars and briefing notes addressing policy aspects of the current public health crisis.
