Basic income case to be heard in January

LINDSAY — The legal action against the Ontario government for cancelling the basic income pilot project is continuing on track, according to Lindsay lawyer Mike Perry, even though a court hearing on the bid has been pushed into the new year.

On Monday, Perry said the legal action is proceeding on two fronts. The first is a request to the court to overturn Community and Social Service Minister Lisa McLeod’s decision to cancel the pilot project. Originally scheduled to be heard in October, the matter will now be heard in Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court) in late January.

“We are busy preparing our case,” Perry said. “Evidence takes time and we have to give the government time to respond to our materials before the case is heard. Courtrooms are also very busy these days and the dates have to work for all the parties involved.”

The second legal challenge is a class-action lawsuit for damages over breach of contract for cancelling the basic income pilot project halfway through without notice, Perry said.

In August, four Lindsay residents — Dana Bowman, Tracey Mechefske, Susan Lindsay and Grace Marie Doyle Hillion — filed a class-action lawsuit against the province for breach of contract. Perry is representing them pro bono.

In April of last year, then premier Kathleen Wynne’s government announced it would be testing a new social program — basic income — in Lindsay, Hamilton and Thunder Bay.

The program provided up to $16,989 per year to 4,000 Ontario residents who qualified, with no stipulation as to employment status. Many participants were working already but not making ends meet. About 2,000 people in Lindsay enrolled.