Ontarians warming to guaranteed minimum income, poll suggests
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/64...poll-suggests/
There appears to be mounting public support in Ontario for a guaranteed minimum income to combat poverty, according to a new poll.
Premier Kathleen Wynne is touting a pilot project expected as early as next year over what she calls "a real concern around the way social assistance works in Ontario."
The scheme would guarantee a basic living income regardless of a recipient's employment status.
Forum Research Inc. found that Ontarians are open to the idea — if it replaces the myriad of existing "social assistance, welfare and other provincial support payments."
Of those polled, 41 per cent back the concept while 33 per cent oppose and 26 per cent don't know.
"Attitudes are changing quickly in North America on certain social issues," Forum president Lorne Bozinoff said Tuesday.
Bozinoff noted he last polled on the idea of a guaranteed minimum income in 2012 and only 27 per cent of respondents across Canada were supportive.
"Times have changed," he said.