Hamilton’s basic income participants share their stories at Queen’s Park

Is anyone listening? Lives will change, but minister promises a ‘compassionate’ transition

A busload of Hamilton basic income program participants and community advocates travelled to Queen’s Park Wednesday in search of answers after the PC government announced last week the pilot project would be scrapped.

While the group did not learn what’s next for the close to 1,000 Hamilton residents affected by the cancellation, Tom Cooper of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction said the visit was productive because it offered a chance for people to meet with MPPs, share their stories and have their voices heard.

“People are unsure about the future,” he said. “By having this opportunity today, they certainly didn’t get the answers they necessarily wanted from the government, but at least they know some politicians are listening to them.”

The move to cancel the three-year pilot program less than a year in has been met with much backlash, including from recipients.

Participants have spoken about the impact the program has had on their lives and expressed concern about what the cancellation means.

The pilot, which was being tested in three locations across the province, was providing 4,000 Ontarians with a guaranteed income of up to $17,000 a year for individuals and $24,000 a year for couples, less 50 per cent for income earned.

Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod said Wednesday participants will get their cheques past August and there will be a “lengthy and compassionate runway” when it comes to winding down the program.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN RENNISON, THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR Fears for the future: Adrienne Newport, top photo, a basic income recipient, is comforted by Coady Paquette, another recipient, as emotions spill over after the debate about the program's elimination at Queen's Park on Wednesday. Above, there were worried faces as people trekking to Queen's Park to raise concerns about the cuts travel along University Avenue by bus.

Tom Cooper, director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, takes part in a phone interview on the third floor of historic Queen's Park Wednesday.

Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath speaks to recipients and activists, who were provided with lunch at Queen's Park Wednesday.

Monika Ciolek, a basic income recipient, poses with a sign saying what the program has meant to her.

Time to head home: A group of basic income recipients and activists leave Queen's Park after a busy day Wednesday.

Deirdre Pike and Ursula Samuels greet each other as they wait to board a bus to Queen’s Park to protest cuts to basic income project.