Ending Poverty: A Basic Income for all Canadians

by François Blais, Jennifer Hutchison (Translator)

As Canada's social safety net continues to be eroded and the gap between rich and poor in our society continues to grow, it becomes increasingly urgent to confront the problems of poverty in fresh and creative ways. Political scientist François Blais offers a bold new proposal to assist the poorest and most disadvantaged in our a guaranteed basic income, or allowance, to be paid to every Canadian citizen. Elaborating on ideas endorsed by two Nobel laureates, Blais outlines how a program might be implemented that would replace the present profusion of social assistance programs with a single, universal benefit. Stimulating and original, Ending Poverty offers an important contribution to the ongoing debate over social justice in this country. Originally published in French as Un revenu garanti pour tous . Translated by Jennifer Hutchison.

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2002

Reviews

[Benjamin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful overview of the case for a universal basic income in Canada (with some points for a global basic income). François Blais seems to be somewhat of a progressive centrist and makes his case using arguments that may appeal to people who identify on the right and the left of the political spectrum, though he is more to the left than the right.