BILL NO. 501
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
3 Charles III, 2024
Private Member's Bill
Basic Income Program Feasibility Study Act
Kendra Coombes
Cape Breton Centre–Whitney Pier
First Reading: September 20, 2024
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act Respecting the Feasibility
of Creating a Basic Income Program
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Basic Income Program Feasibility Study Act.
2 In this Act, "basic income program" means a program whereby a person is paid an unconditional sum of money from His Majesty in addition to income received by the person from any other source.
3 Subject to Section 8, the Standing Committee on Community Services shall study and prepare a report on
(a) the feasibility of creating a basic income program to replace or supplement other forms of income support provided to individuals with a low income, including a description of a proposed basic income program and costed estimates;
(b) the possibility of co-operating with the Government of Canada and the government of other provinces of Canada in establishing a basic income program;
(c) the advantages and disadvantages of having a national basic income program; and
(d) the need for a basic income in the Province, considering food insecurity, income levels and poverty in the Province and other metrics of social and economic well-being.
4 In conducting its study, the Standing Committee on Community Services shall hold public consultations.
5 (1) In conducting its study, the Standing Committee on Community Services shall call witnesses from all of the following categories:
(c) social workers, as defined in the Social Workers Act;
(d) representatives of the interests of employees in the Province;
(e) representatives of the interests of employers in the Province;
(f) representatives of anti-poverty organizations and advocacy groups;
(g) representatives of community health boards continued or established under the Health Authorities Act;
(h) individuals with first-hand experience of poverty;
(i) representatives from African Nova Scotian communities;
(j) representatives from Indigenous Nova Scotian communities.
6 The Standing Committee on Community Services may, subject to the approval of the Treasury and Policy Board, avail itself of the services of employees of the Civil Service to conduct research in support of the preparation of its report.
7 The Standing Committee on Community Services shall, no later than 10 months after the coming into force of this Act, file its report with the Clerk of the Assembly.
8 The money required for the purpose of the Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2024 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created September 20, 2024. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
