A universal basic income could help counter COVID-19's economic damage.
“If we're considering radical and fast action in medical terms, we should also consider it in economic terms”
Tim Ford is a mixed-race freelance writer based in Victoria. He has written articles for Avenue Magazine, Monday Magazine and Livewire Calgary, and has authored science fiction and fantasy stories for Neo-Opsis Magazine, Crossed Genres Magazine and several anthology collection
“The Trudeau government's $82-billion relief plan, which was announced on March 18, is a step in the right direction. However, it leans heavily on tax deferrals and credits, and as such fails to reach the end-goal of reducing burdens on the system during a crisis rather than after.
UBI as a safety net would be a proactive measure, instead of a reactive one. When we compare costs of $43-billion (or less, when the economic benefits are tallied) annually vs. one-time injections of $82-billion, it becomes all the more apparent that we can make this work.
It's impossible to say with any certainty if an existing UBI would have completely solved the current problems of our most economically vulnerable, but it is possible to say it would likely have meant less social and economic harm than what is now being experienced due to coronavirus.
Fast introduction of a UBI could help Canadian society weather this crisis. No single policy is perfection, but just as the WHO's good doctor Ryan said, when it comes to crisis situations, speed trumps perfection.”
