By Terminating the Basic Income Project Early, the Ontario Government Hurt Vulnerable People

On February 2nd, CCLA will be appearing as an intervenor before the Ontario Court of Appeal to argue that the early cancellation of the basic income pilot project caused deprivations and harms to marginalized people in a way that should be recognized as a Charter violation.

The project was launched by the government to study whether providing a guaranteed basic income over three years would lead to improved mental health, food security, job security, education, and other factors for individuals in the study. Participants in this human research study were asked to give up their privacy and to make significant changes to their lives in order to participate. The project’s early cancellation caused them significant harms.

At a hearing this week, CCLA will argue that the Charter is there to protect everyone, including (and especially) the most marginalized members of society, and that the harms caused by the cancellation of the project should be seen as a section 7 Charter violation that deserves a full hearing before a competent court.

The hearing on Wednesday (Bowman v Ontario) is an appeal of a lower court decision to deny class action certification in this matter.

CCLA is grateful to its exceptional legal team, Jennifer Hunter and Jennifer O’Dell (Lerners LLP).