(File photo.) The city of St. John’s is expected to pledge its support for a guaranteed basic income today at city hall. The resolution, which is on the agenda for this week’s council meeting, will be introduced by deputy mayor Sheilagh O’Leary. It outlines many reasons for supporting a guaranteed basic income, including the “alarming rate” at which inflation is rising, homelessness, lack of affordable housing and recommendations supporting such a policy from Health Accord NL. He says municipalities are an important voice in social policy discussions, and a federally funded basic income program is “well-positioned” to help them ensure residents can live happy, healthy, sustainable and productive lives. Mayor Danny Breen will send a letter on behalf of the council to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, federal ministers and Premier Andrew Furey calling for the implementation of a guaranteed basic income.
