Members of the Okotoks United Church took part in a nationwide demonstration calling on the government to provide universal livable income.
The United Church of Canada encouraged members of its churches across the country to gather safely outside member of parliament offices on April 8 to request the government consider a guaranteed livable wage for all Canadians. About half a dozen Okotoks United Church congregants met outside Foothills MP John Barlow's office.
Julia Kimmett, minister at Okotoks United Church, said the government was able to pull this off during an emergency with Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments, and it’s something that could be rolled into a regular program.
“CERB has actually helped some people, and it was possible,” said Kimmett. “When it was needed, the government made it possible.
“Now, it is going to create debt. We’re realistic about that, but there are ways to do it.”
She said some considerations could be taxable dividends, refundable tax benefits, tax breaks and transfers, and generally rethinking how low-income Canadians are paid and assessed.
During the height of COVID-19 shutdowns, she said the United Church, Okotoks Family Resource Centre and St. Vincent de Paul Society were expecting to see spikes in requests for help, but their agencies were quiet.
“It surprised all of us to find people just weren’t coming,” said Kimmett. “That might have been partially people were a little anxious about things, but after a while it came down to, probably, people were receiving assistance and getting enough money to live.”
She said the demonstrations were set two days before federal conventions in the hopes the matter could be put on agendas for discussion.
“The government has a responsibility to all its citizens and we want them to step up and make sure everybody has an income that meets the needs of individuals and families,” said Kimmett.
It’s time the federal government prove it cares about all its citizens, she said.
For the church, it comes down to a social justice issue, similar to advocating for affordable housing in Okotoks.
“People have to be safe and secure and be able to put food on the tables and have transportation,” said Kimmett.
Right now, that’s not always the case.
She said some people come to the Okotoks United Church office looking for assistance from the benevolent fund, who bring home a monthly income of $800 to $1,200.
“That’s not livable,” said Kimmett.
While the United Church admits there would be a cost associated to running a program that would guarantee livable wages, she said there’s a greater cost to doing nothing at all.
It takes a toll on mental and physical health of those who are stressed over financial need, she said, and many end up receiving social assistance, experiencing homelessness, keeping their children out of school, and using more emergency services.
“We just wanted to say in a small way that we care, and we’re concerned, and we want to see the government put this on the front burner,” said Kimmett. “I personally think that if this can happen, our communities will be stronger and healthier.”
Foothills MP John Barlow said on April 12 the Liberal convention saw some support of a universal basic income, but the Conservatives are not convinced it would work.
"We've also heard from the parliamentary budget officer that this is something Canada cannot afford," said Barlow. "It's a $95-billion price tag annually. What that looks like right now, that would be very difficult for us to be able to support financially as a country, as taxpayers."
He said if the United Church of Canada has different proposals that could change the impact to Canadians, he's willing to hear them out.
Demonstrating outside MP offices was one way to get the message out across the country, but he said if local groups want to discuss the issue they are encouraged to reach out to his office.
"I'm pretty approachable and pretty accommodating that way," said Barlow. "I just think it's a better way of having your voice heard and sharing ideas. I certainly want to listen to what their proposals are."
