08-15-2023 - No.10The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Resolution
No.10
Moved by: Councillor Lori Lococo
Seconded by: Councillor Wayne Campbell
August 15, 2023
Municipal Resolution in Support of Basic Income for the City of Niagara Falls
WHEREAS, The City of Niagara Falls recognizes the social and economic challenges
faced by its residents that have a detrimental impact on the determinants of health
including income inequality, poverty, inadequate housing and precarious employment,-
WHEREAS,
mployment;
WHEREAS, the City of Niagara Falls declared a State of Emergency on mental health,
homelessness and addiction on June 21, 2022;
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the City of Niagara Falls to strive for the well-being
and prosperity of all its residents, which includes ensuring access to basic needs and
opportunities to improve health;
WHEREAS, through addressing poverty and improving access to healthcare, a
Guaranteed Livable Basic Income can potentially reduce healthcare costs enabling
people to afford preventive care and timely treatments while preventing more costly
healthcare interventions, leading to better overall population health,
WHEREAS, a Basic Income program was tested in Hamilton during the Ontario Basic
Income Pilot project between 2017 and 2019 and more than 1,000 local residents
reported positive outcomes including the alleviation of food and housing insecurity,
improved physical and mental health, financial stability, social equity and greater
connection to the labour market;
WHEREAS, the Federal Budget Office upon reviewing the concept of a national
Guaranteed Basic Income program determined it could, if properly set out, be a major
economic driver to the Canadian economy; and
WHEREAS, a Basic Income program can complement and enhance existing social
support systems, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to addressing
the needs of Niagara Falls residents including persons with disabilities, homelessness,
mental health and addiction.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
(a) That the City of Niagara Falls supports the concept of a Guaranteed Livable
Basic Income to combat poverty, income inequality, and economic insecurity
within our community; and supports the continuing advocacy of the Basic
Income Hamilton Working Group (under the auspices of the Hamilton
Roundtable for Poverty Reduction) to share research and unique experiences of
local residents who participated in the Ontario Basic Income Pilot project;
(b) That the City of Niagara Falls calls upon the provincial and federal
governments to collaborate to research a national Guaranteed Livable Basic
Income program,
(c) That Niagara Falls City Council directs the Office of the Mayor to write a letter
to the Prime Minister, local Members of Parliament and the Senate, the
Premier of Ontario, local Members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario,
calling on these orders of government to work collaboratively towards
researching a National Guaranteed Livable Basic Income to eradicate poverty
and homelessness, and ensure everyone has sufficient income to meet their
basic needs; and
(d) That the City of Niagara Falls encourages other municipalities across the
province and the country to join in advocating for a Guaranteed Livable Basic
Income as a key policy tool in the fight against poverty and inequality and to
this end, Hamilton City Council will advocate through its representatives at
the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Canadian Federation of
Municipalities for Guaranteed Livable Basic Income resolutions at meetings
of those organizations.
AND The Seal of the Corporation be hereto affixed. Carried
(Councillors Patel, Nieuwesteeg and Thomson opposed)
WILLIAM G. MATSON
CITY CLERK
JAMES M. DIODATI
MAYOR