It’s Time to Revisit Universal Basic Income | The Tyee Especially for artists. It offers the hope and stability we need.

The Tyee's latest article on UBI is simply outstanding

"Economic freedom begets more freedom"

"As one person after another explains, basic income didn’t bring on a golden age of laziness; it did the opposite."

thetyee.ca/Culture/2026...

Harvard professor explains the basics of universal basic income In this video, Professor Akee discusses the basics of universal basic income, what his review of Tribal casino’s UBI payments found, and common arguments against this program.

What is Universal Basic Income, and why is it gaining attention? A Harvard explainer breaks it down as a regular, unconditional cash payment to all, designed to provide a basic level of economic security and simplify social protection systems. zurl.co/v3svI

This was me at our Toronto rally in 2021.

Even people with jobs today are seeing their leverage crushed by AI. It's not just about how many are fired, it's how many aren't asking for a raise, switching jobs, or hired in the first place.

UBI is a lifeline of leverage.

I don't like talking about the cost of universal basic income, not because it's some high number, but because it assumes not doing it is free. We spend $1.5 TRILLION a year on the costs of child poverty alone. We cut child poverty by 40% for a cost of $100B in 2021. That would have been a $500B GAIN

Imagine a world where "I can't afford to leave" is no longer a reason to stay in an abusive relationship or a soul-crushing job. That is the true power of Universal Basic Income. It’s not just economic policy; it’s personal liberation.

You deserve better. We all do.

Our own Heather Lambert contributed to a report on Basic Income and post-secondary education!

basicincomecoalition.ca/wp-content/u...

Here's the person who's been nominated to replace Chrystia Freeland in the upcoming byelection

Dr. Danielle Martin, Family Medicine Chair at UofT who has prescribed basic income.

The US is headed for mass unemployment, and no one is prepared Universal Basic Income is no longer a liberal fantasy but a stability mechanism in the face of AI-driven job displacement. It's time to face reality.

This article from The Hill argues AI could accelerate unemployment across sectors, making Universal Basic Income part of the policy response to protect economic security as labour markets evolve. zurl.co/kRgvZ

Basic income for Irish artists has been transformative as Scots call for same scheme THE art sector in Ireland has told of the benefits brought by a basic income scheme – with calls in Scotland for a similar move to be considered.

Scotland pushing to introduce a Basic Income for the Arts based on the impact of the Irish pilot scheme.
www.thenational.scot/news/2581400...

I used to tell my students, who were almost always reflexively against UBI, that it'd take the bullets out of the gun. Imagine if employers had to make employment attractive? If they couldn't threaten you with hunger and homelessness? Or waste your time

“I told everybody: ‘I’m retired, I sit home all day. If we get any reports of ICE in the neighborhood, somebody text me, and I’ll run over on my scooter and go yell at them.’”

Another example of something people would actually do with universal basic income.

Consultation: Poverty reduction strategy Share your experiences and ideas to help us develop the next poverty reduction strategy.Closing date: November 30, 2025

Fill out Ontario’s poverty reduction survey to let them know basic income is the way to go!

www.ontario.ca/page/consult...

Two versions of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs are shown. The top pyramid includes all five levels — physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization — but only a few people stand at the base, struggling to reach higher levels. In the second pyramid, labeled “UNCONDITIONAL BASIC INCOME,” the lower two levels (physiological and safety) are grayed out, symbolizing that everyone’s basic needs are met. A joyful, larger crowd reaches the higher levels of belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

In the age of AI, it’s time to take UBI seriously.
We already have enough resources to meet everyone’s basic needs.
When we’re not fighting to survive, we can finally start to live and become who we’re meant to be. 💜

For example, if we had a UBI system, workers would be empowered to leave crappy employment. Most people don't unionize or strike because they can't afford to miss paychecks.

This gives the companies all the power. They can outlast a strike and continue treating their workers like shit.

"Cancel all student loan debt? But that would be unfair to all those people who struggled for years to pay back their student loans! Let me assure the reader that, as someone who struggled for years to pay back his student loans and finally did so, this argument makes about as much sense as saying it would be unfair to a mugging victim not to mug their neighbors too." - David Graeber

Myth: If we had a Basic Income, everyone would stop working.

Fact: People work for 2 main reasons: 1. They have an urge to do something constructive with their talents; 2. They want a good standard of living. Numerous studies have demonstrated that most people continue to work when receiving BI.

Basic income addresses the root causes of crime.

It reduces violence and drug/alcohol use.

🚨 Sign + Share! Canada needs a Guaranteed Basic Income.

We’ve launched an official e-petition to implement the PEI GBI Demo Project—the first step toward a national GBI.

A GBI reduces poverty, builds security & strengthens our safety net.

👉 www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...

#BasicIncome #CdnPoli

Basic Income changes the story! We do not have to accept the way things are. Basic Income is not only possible, it is necessary for the future we deserve.

Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings. Nelson Mandela

The economy, work, and how we live are changing in a global transformation. Problems we see now and will see in the future are not the result of human failings but of system ones.

Basic income is an anchor policy, a decision that poverty can not go where we're going.

Basic Income changes the story! We do not have to accept the way things are. Basic Income is not only possible, it is necessary for the future we deserve.

“Everyday we wake up and collectively make a world together; but which one of us, left to our own devices, would ever decide they wanted to make a world like this one?”

— David Graeber, “Bullshit Jobs: A Theory”

Thank you for your support and contributions! 👏🏻

Basic Income changes the story! We do not have to accept the way things are. Basic Income is not only possible, it is necessary for the future we deserve.

Ontario colleges have lost 600 programs and 10,000 workers over the past year. Here’s where the axes fell While cuts largely reflect where international students have been concentrated, the fallout extends well beyond that, with few areas of study spared.

During tariff uncertainty underfunding of education will have a devastating effect on future competitiveness. "Analysis reveals one-third of affected programs are in business & mgmnt, while nearly a quarter fall under engineering, tech & applied science." #onpoli
www.therecord.com/thestar/news...

Residents are really struggling this afternoon. If anyone can do a drop off of water or ice in the next hour that would be amazing.

Thanks to everyone who came to our successful We Organize with Busy Lives panel! We want to thank ETFO for providing funding through the Social Development Center to support this event. We couldn't have done it without our wonderful moderator, panelists, and community! @morricemike.bsky.social

Tomorrow!! Register now!!!

www.eventbrite.ca/e/we-organiz...

@basicincomeyouth.bsky.social

One week away! Register now!!

Inspiring to see nonprofits that alleviate poverty calling for universal basic income to eliminate poverty and reduce society's need for charity.