Covering All the Basics: Reforms for a More Just Society

Abstract

On July 3, 2018, the Government of British Columbia announced the creation of an expert committee to “test the feasibility of a basic income in BC and help find ways to make life better for British Columbians.” This is the report of that committee, the Expert Panel on Basic Income. Through this report, we endeavour to present comprehensive, consistent, and evidence-based advice to the B.C. government in response to the tasks set out in the terms of reference. We do this in six parts, which: introduce our task and provide a summary of the report; present a justice-based framework within which we can analyze the alternatives; provide background information used throughout the report ; describe and analyze potential basic income programs; present our vision for the future and a set of recommendations that will move B.C. on the path toward that vision.