source: unitedway.ca
As Canada continues to grapple with COVID-19, the United Way of Perth-Huron is advocating for a basic income for Canadians.
Joelle Lamport-Lewis, Director of Research at United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH)’s Social Research and Planning Council (SRPC) says “We’re glad to see momentum building across the social and political spectrum, in part because of the relative success of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).”
CERB was introduced in the wake of mass job losses, due to COVID-19 closing workplaces across the country.
For years, the SRPC has advocating for employers to pay a living wage, which stands at $17.55 in Huron and Perth counties.
United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) Executive Director Ryan Erb says, “Vulnerable people, including some affected by the pandemic who may have never faced income insecurity before, aren’t looking to take advantage of the system. They want to work.”