Appointed: A Canadian Senator Bringing Margins to the Centre

On this episode of Appointed, Kim is joined by the Honourable Iain Rankin, Member of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia and former Premier of Nova Scotia, for a timely conversation on poverty, dignity, and the push for a guaranteed livable basic income (GLBI) in Canada. Drawing on over a decade of experience in provincial politics, MLA Rankin shares insights into the unique economic challenges facing Nova Scotians, the growing need for bold and inclusive social policy, and his recent introduction of Bill 41 – a proposal to launch a basic income pilot in Nova Scotia. The conversation also touches on Senator Pate’s Bill S-206, which seeks to establish a national GLBI framework, and explores how provincial and federal efforts can work hand-in-hand to create lasting change. Tune in for a thoughtful exchange on income security, human dignity, and the future of basic income in Canada. For more information on Bill 41, click here. For more information on GLBI and Bill S-206, check out our website here.

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with Senator Pat Duncan, Canadian Senator and former premier of Yukon. Kim and Senator Duncan are longtime friends and have an amazing conversation about the work being done to ensure Canadians can “rebound” out of poverty. Senator Duncan draws on her more than 10 years of experience serving in the Yukon Legislative Assembly and working in the Yukon community to discuss how food security in the North differs from other parts of Canada. Senator Duncan shines a light on the work being done to grow Yukon’s agricultural sector. Kim and Senator Duncan advocate for placing guaranteed livable basic income (GLBI) at the top of the national agenda. To learn more about Senator Duncan’s work, please visit the Senate of Canada website. For details on the Putting People First report which reviewed Yukon’s health and social systems and programs, including the 76 recommendations to serve the needs of Yukoners better, please click here. Please also see the Circumpolar Agricultural Association website. You can read the Thumbs Up reports at their website. More information about work being done to address poverty in Yukon can be found at Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition. For information on the Yukon Agricultural Association, including a Farm Guide, please see here.

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with Dr. Jiaying Zhao, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Behavioral Sustainability and Sauder Distinguished Scholar at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Zhao speaks about her incredible research into how resource scarcity impacts human cognition and behaviour. Kim and Dr. Zhao discuss Dr. Zhao’s 2023 study which found that one-time, unconditional cash transfers of $7,500 to people living in poverty reduced homelessness in Vancouver. Dr. Zhao explains her work modelling the cost of a guaranteed livable basic income (GLBI), and her findings that a GLBI would go a long way to allowing people to rebound in tough economic times and help to eliminate poverty and homelessness, in addition to costing less than half of the $92B currently spent every year on measures that keep people in poverty. To learn more about Dr. Zhao’s research, please visit her Behavioral Sustainability Lab or her website at the University of British Columbia. You can read more about the unconditional cash transfer study here. More information about the work being done in British Colombia to address poverty and other social challenges can be found at Foundations for Social Change. More information about our initiatives to assist governments to Spend Less on Poverty & More in People can be found at https://senpate.sencanada.ca/en/current-work/s-233/.

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with Dan Huang-Taylor, executive director of Food Banks BC, a provincial association working to end hunger in British Colombia. Kim and Dan discuss the intersection of poverty and food security, and Dan’s extensive experience working in the non-profit sector. Dan speaks about his involvement with the Put Food Banks Out of Business initiative, which advocates for the implementation of a guaranteed livable basic income to ensure no Canadians fall below the poverty line, and shares his reflections on the true cost of poverty. To learn more about Dan’s work at Food Banks BC, please go here. To read about the Put Food Banks Out of Business initiative, please click here. More information about work being done by food banks in Ontario to end hunger can be found at Feed Ontario. For more information about our work on these issue, please visit our web site at https://senpate.sencanada.ca/en/current-work/s-233/.

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with activist and artist Jessie Golem about her portrait series, Humans of Basic Income, and her work on guaranteed livable basic income. Humans of Basic Income tells the stories of people who took part in Ontario’s basic income pilot project, and what happened when the pilot was cancelled prematurely. Ms Golem speaks about the impact that the Humans of Basic Income series, and the pilot project itself, has had on her own life, and her perspective on the importance of creating art as an act of courage, especially during uncertain times. See the Humans of Basic Income portrait series here, and associated film “A Human Picture” here. To get involved with work being done on basic income in your community, please see UBI Works and Basic Income Canada Network. You can read about the cancelled Ontario basic income pilot project here. More information about the basic income class action case can be found here.

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with economist Benoit Robidoux about the 2023 guaranteed basic income (GBI) proposal for residents in Prince Edward Island. Mr. Robidoux was a key member of the team behind the proposal; a team made up of economists, public servants, politicians and advocates from across Canada. Mr. Robidoux discusses how the GBI program would provide a benefit of $19,000 for single adults and $27,000 for families in Prince Edward Island, and reduce poverty rates among working-age adults and their families. Read the PEI Basic Income Report, titled "A Proposal For A Guaranteed Basic Income Benefit For Prince Edward Island", here.

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with the Honourable Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard. Senator Bernard has decades of leadership and innovation as a social worker, educator, researcher, community activist and advocate for social change. Senator Bernard and Kim discuss how a GLBI might support Black Canadians and African Nova Scotians, the intersection of poverty, stigma, and racism, and the vital need to end anti-Black racism in Canada. Senator Bernard shares her incredible insights from her life, time in the Senate, and extensive experience as a social worker, professor, mentor and community leader. Notes: Listen to the Appointed Episode with Senator Bernard, Abolish Racism here Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be found here Senator Pate’s Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Factsheet can be read here Senator Rodger Cuzner's Report Poverty in Nova Scotia at a Glance (2024) can be found here (EN), and here (FR) The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on The Status of Women information here Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund can be read here A Nova Scotia Initiative to End Gender-Based Violence funded by WAGE’s National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence here Sanding Together: A Provincial Action Plan to Prevent Domestic Violence, Learning about what it will take to Prevent Domestic Violence in Nova Scotia through the Advisory Council here Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights report: Anti-Black Racism, Sexism and Systemic Discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Commission can be found here

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with her friend and colleague, Senator Bernadette Clement, about the intersection of poverty and racism in Canada. Senator Clement speaks from her experience in the Senate, municipal politics, and her career as a legal aid lawyer. Senator Clement still works as a practicing lawyer as well as being a Senator! Listen to their conversation, and how a guaranteed basic livable income could support Black Canadians. Notes: Information Materials re: Facts about Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income can be read here About Colour of Poverty Fact Sheet can be read here; more about Colour of Poverty here Information on Dr. Jane Phillpot’s “Fixing Family Medicine” can be read here Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be found here

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with criminal defence lawyer Theresa Donkor about guaranteed livable basic income, the mass incarceration of Black, Indigenous and BIPOC Canadians, and Ms Donkor's analysis of how poverty and systemic racism contribute to the over-criminalization and imprisonment of her clients. Theresa Donkor is a criminal defence lawyer and the Advocacy Director for the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL). She advocates with a focus on racial justice, and in this episode discusses the intersectional benefits of guaranteed livable basic income. The conversation also includes her expert testimony before Standing Senate Committees, most recently before the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding a new car theft provision introduced in the Criminal Code via 2024 budget implementation legislation –––––––––––––––––––––––––– Information Materials re: Facts about Guaranteed Liveable Basic Income can be read here About Theresa Donkor here About the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers here

On this episode of Appointed, Kim speaks with the Honourable Harry Laforme about the importance of ensuring independence, authority and resources in order to ensure the new commission can effectively consider wrongful convictions. Informed by the report he and the Honourable Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré authored, as well as the one they inspired about 12 Indigenous women, they discuss the findings and significance of the government's decision to exclude key recommendations in Bill C-40, the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission Act (David and Joyce Milgaard's Law). As Bill C-40 is being considered by the Senate, Kim and Justice Laforme discuss the imperatives of redressing systemic discrimination, especially for Indigenous women, and the challenges of achieving this important objective via the current version of Bill C-40. They underscore the importance of creating proactive, independent, and systemic approaches to addressing miscarriages of justice, consistent with the report and model proposed by Justices Laforme and Westmoreland-Traoré. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A Miscarriage of Justice Commission Report can be read here Injustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women report can be read online here Conviction Integrity: The Canadian Miscarriages of Justice Commission by Carrie Leonetti, University of Auckland can be found here The brief submitted by the Hon. Harry Laforme, Hon. Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré, and Kent Roach to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights can be found here Native Women's Association of Canada's submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights can be found here Submission of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies can be read here University of British Columbia’s Innocence Project brief can be read here BILL C-40, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews) is accessible here

On this episode of Appointed, Senator Pate speaks with The Honourable Marion Buller, Chancellor of the University of Victoria and former Chief Commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the first Indigenous woman appointed as a judge in British Columbia. The two discuss the connections between poverty, violence against Indigenous women and girls, the mass incarceration and institutionalization of Indigenous women, and the overarching violence of colonialism. Chancellor Buller’s years of experience on the bench and as chief commissioner provide invaluable perspective vis-a-vis how to address miscarriages of justice experienced by Indigenous women, including via the Calls for Justice of the MMIWG, the proposed Miscarriage of Justice Reviews Act (Bill C-40), the Senator's report on the Miscarriages of Justices Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women, and Bills C-223 & S-233, both aimed at introducing a framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income in Canada. MMIWG Call for Justice 4.5 directs the government to implement a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, and 5.14 requires the federal and provincial governments to collaborate on a thorough evaluation of the impact that mandatory minimum sentences have on the over-incarceration of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. Given the manner in which MMPs have contributed to the mass incarceration of racialized people, especially Indigenous women, like the TRC, the MMIWG expected the government to follow through on its commitment to repeal mandatory minimum penalties. Chancellor Buller and Senator Pate speak to the intersections of their work and respective struggles to achieve equality and justice. Content Warning: this episode mentions violence against women, rape, and murder. Episode Citations: Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can be read online here Injustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women report can be read online here Bill C-40: An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews) can be found here Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be found here Bill C-223, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be found here

On this episode of Appointed, Senator Kim Pate speaks with Ottawa City Councillors, Theresa Kavanagh and Marty Carr. This fabulous duo successfully presented a motion on July 10, 2024, supporting a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income. They were inspired by the Ottawa Board of Health June 17, 2024 resolution supporting a Basic Income Guarantee for all people over the age of 17 as a means of addressing poverty, the number one social determinant of ill health. Kim and the Councillors discuss the importance of a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, the potential it has to support safety, autonomy, the social determinants of health, and other inequities faced by Ottawa citizens and Canadians more broadly. Councillor Carr represents the area of Alta Vista, and Councillor Kavanagh is the councillor for the By Ward region of Ottawa. __________________________________ Senator Pate’s Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Fact Sheets can be read here City Council Motion to Support a Guaranteed Basic Income for Canadians available here & here Ottawa City Council Backs Basic Income can be watched here Bill S-233, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income can be read here An Op-Ed by Councillor Marty Carr can be found here

BICYN’s most recent op-ed in The Hill Times (not mentioned in the podcast - but super relevant to the podcast!) is about the Canada Disability Benefit and why we still need a guaranteed basic income. It was written by BICYN directors Alexandra Zannis and Ellen Spannagel. (https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2023/...) Kendal's academic work: https://carleton.ca/socialwork/people... https://invisibleinstitutions.com/ https://invisibleinstitutions.com/pol... https://invisibleinstitutions.com/pol... https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022... https://doi.org/10.22215/etd/2021-14559 https://ojs.uwindsor.ca/index.php/csw... https://www.researchgate.net/profile/... To learn more about the Basic Income Canada Youth Network Website: https://www.basicincomeyouth.ca/ Youtube: / @basicincomecanadayouthnetw8430 Twitter: https://twitter.com/BICYN_ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@basicincomeyo... Instagram: https://www.tiktok.com/@basicincomeyo... For more on the bills discussed in the episode: Bill C-22: Canada Disability Benefit Act https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill... Bill S-233: National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill...

For more information: President Cassidy Caron: https://www.metisnation.ca/presidents... Métis National Council: https://www.metisnation.ca/ The various Accords and Sub-Accords between the MNC & Canada: https://www.metisnation.ca/about/reso... The Métis Nation of Ontario Housing Census: https://www.metisnation.org/news/the-... Bill C-53: Recognition of Certain Métis Governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan and Métis Self-Government Act : https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill.. Bill S-233 & Bill C-223: National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill... https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill...

Podcast Links: Click here to access Income Supports and Indigenous Peoples In B.C. - An Analysis of Gaps and Barriers Click here to check outCovering All the Basics: Reforms for a More Just Society Click here to read Together BC - British Columbia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Click here to access resources available via Basic Income Coalition Canada and UBI Works here Click here to read Bill S-233 and here to check out MP Leah Gazan’s Bill C-233 Click here to check out the Parliamentary Budget Officer Report - Costing a Guaranteed Basic Income During the COVID Pandemic Click here to access Perspectives, document outlining the need and benefits of implementing a Guaranteed Livable Income in 🇨🇦.

Resources herehereherehereherehereInjustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women Senators go to Jail.

Reports and Papers hereInjustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women. hereToward Abolishing the Mandatory Life Sentence and Parole Ineligibility Periods for Murderhere Cruel, Unusual, and Constitutionally Infirm: Mandatory Minimum Sentences in Canada.hereMoving towards a minimalist and transformative criminal justice system: Essay on the reform of the principles and objectives of sentencing, prepared for the Department of Justice Canada.herehereSenators Go to JailLegislation herehereherePBO Reports hereThe Federal Cost of Minimum Sentences. hereDemonstrative Examples of Costing Sentenced Inmateshere The Fiscal Impact of Changes to Eligibility for Conditional Sentences Imprisonment in Canada.herethe Funding Requirement and Impact of the “Truth in Sentencing Act” on the Correctional System in Canada.Jurisprudence hereR. v. BissonnettehereTwins v. CanadahereR. v. LuxtonhereR. v. D.B.hereR. v. Ipeelee Other Resources herehere

Click here for more information about Professor Bednar and her public policy research. Click here to access the Perspectives document on Guaranteed Livable Income by Team Pate. Click here to check out Professor Bednar on the Cross Country Checkup Podcast Other resources referred to in the episode: Click here to access Professor Bednar’s paper on competition policy in Canada, mentioned at 2:45. Click here to access a copy of the Competition Act, referred to at 2:45 Click here for resources about recent changes to Canada's child care system, as discussed at 20:20. General topics discussed in the episode: See the 4:00 minute mark for a discussion about the connection between competition policy issues, income inequality, and strategies to promote social and economic fairness. See the 6:05 minute mark for Professor Bednar’s commentary on consumer protection, competition, and opportunities to empower individuals in a digital economy. See the 7:05 minute mark for Professor’ Bednar’s commentary on rising food princes and expanding inequality. See the 8:30 minute mark for a discussion about effective policies for eliminating income inequality, as exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. See the 11:00 minute mark for a discussion about the benefits, complications, and specific qualities of an effective guaranteed livable income policy. See the 17:00 minute mark about the frustrating process of transforming good ideas into good policy, and the next steps for implementing competition reform.

Click here to access to Bill C-5. Click here to read more on Bill C-22 Click here to check out Dr. Sheehy’s book Defending Battered Women on Trial. Click here to read Justice Arbour’s Inquiry into certain events at the Prison for Women in Kingston also known as the Arbour Report Click here to read R v Luxton Click here to read more about R v Naslund Click here to access the Injustices and Miscarriages of Justice Experienced by 12 Indigenous Women report Click here to read more about the inquest in Renfrew County Click here to access more information on the Portapique Inquiry Click here to read Bonnie Moonie’s story

Click here to access more information about MPP Wynne's political career. For more information on Guaranteed Livable Income: Click here to access the Perspectives document on Guaranteed Livable Income by Team Pate. Click here for Bill C-223 and here for Bill S-233 on guaranteed livable basic income. Click here for a new year's statement and update from national guaranteed livable basic income groups Basic Income Canada Network, Basic Income Canada Youth Network, and Coalition Canada, basic income – revenue du base (Coalition Canada). Other resources mentioned in the episode: Click here to access the Wynne Government's Basic Income Pilot Project discussed at 1:48 and 14:10. Click here to access Basic Income Canada Network's Signposts to Success: Report of a BICN Survey of Ontario Basic Income Recipients. Click here to access Ontario's 2021 "Right to Disconnect" legislative initiative (Bill 27, the Working for Workers Act) discussed at 9:59. Click here to access the Ontario Liberal Party's news release related to including a four day work week in their 2022 electoral platform, as discussed at 10:40. Click here to access an article which discusses the Zorra township's four-day work week pilot program, which was afterward permanently implemented. Click here to access Hugh Segal's Bootstraps Need Boots, discussed at 22:12. General topics discussed in the episode: See the 1:40 minute mark for a discussion about the new and evolving labour laws and economic support measures being brought in, including in the context of the pandemic. See the 10:40 minute mark for MPP Wynne's commentary about the possibility of a four-day work week, and about the evolution of workplace expectations. See the 14:10 minute mark for a discussion about the social and economic benefits of a Guaranteed Livable Income, and the idea of such income as an "investment". See the 21:17 minute mark for a discussion about guaranteed livable income in PEI and relevant lessons from the pandemic.