It may seem odd that an HR consultant is talking about this, but I feel it is high time for the Federal and Provincial governments to collaborate on providing a Basic Income program.
The economy is being battered and the current “band-aid” solutions of CERB/EI and CEWS, while very important in the early days, need to transition into something more permanent and accessible. It is no surprise that the countries who are supporting individuals financially are doing better in the battle against COVID, because people are more likely to follow public health rules when they know they can pay rent and feed their families.
Under the current Federal support plan, persons who use their government benefit can only do so once. If someone is required to quarantine more than once, there is no financial support.
From an HR perspective, I find the bulk of my work lately has been in helping my clients make sense of these complicated government programs and figuring out if the company’s sick benefit (if such a benefit exists) will cover quarantines. We are seeing rapid changes to the number of hours that people are working, the times of day they are working, and the need to update or upgrade their skills and education to remain competitive in the post-pandemic era. This would be so much easier if there was a Basic Income to fill the gaps.
And yes, there will be some people who just “take advantage” of the system. But, many more will use the system to improve not only their own lives, but the generations that come after them. The 1970’s Manitoba Basic Income Pilot is proof that it works.
If you agree with me, send a message to your Provincial and Federal political representatives to encourage them!