BILL NO. 180
(as introduced)
2nd Session, 62nd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
65 Elizabeth II, 2016
Basic Income Program Feasibility Study Act
Marian Mancini
Dartmouth South
First Reading: May 6, 2016
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Facilitate the Study
of the Feasibility of Creating
a Basic Income Program
WHEREAS low income is a leading factor in poor health, social and economic outcomes for Nova Scotians;
AND WHEREAS basic income programs have the potential to ensure that all Nova Scotians have an income sufficient to meet their basic needs and live with dignity, regardless of their employment status;
AND WHEREAS governments in a number of jurisdictions are engaging in pilot projects to study the feasibility and measure the effectiveness of basic income programs;
THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Basic Income Program Feasibility Study Act.
(a) "basic income program" means a program whereby a person is paid an unconditional sum of money from Her Majesty in addition to income received by the person from any other source;
(b) "Basic Income Study Committee" means the committee established under subsection 3(3);
(c) "federal basic income pilot study" means a study sponsored by the Government of Canada and conducted to evaluate feasibility, costs or effects of establishing a basic income program;
(d) "Human Resources Committee" means the Standing Committee on Human Resources of the Assembly;
(e) "social worker" means a social worker as defined in the Social Workers Act;
(f) "trade union" means a trade union as defined in the Trade Union Act.
3 (1) Subject to subsection (2), within 30 days of the coming into force of this Act, the Human Resources Committee shall meet and recommend individuals to be appointed as members of the Basic Income Study Committee.
(2) The individuals recommended by the Human Resources Committee must include
(c) a representative of the interests of employers in the Province;
(d) a representative of the interests of members of trade unions in the Province; and
(e) a member of an anti-poverty organization active in the Province.
(3) Upon receiving the recommendations of the Human Resources Committee, the Governor in Council shall establish the recommended individuals as the Basic Income Study Committee.
4 The Basic Income Study Committee may select its own Chair and determine its own rules of procedure.
5 Subject to Section 11, the members of the Basic Income Study Committee must be
(a) paid such remuneration as is determined by the Governor in Council; and
(b) reimbursed for such actual and reasonable expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their duties.
6 The Basic Income Study Committee may avail itself of the services of employees of the Civil Service, subject to the approval of the Treasury and Policy Board.
7 (1) The Basic Income Study Committee 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;
(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; and
(c) the advantages and disadvantages of having a national basic income program.
(2) In conducting its study, the Basic Incomes Study Committee shall hold public consultations.
8 The Basic Income Study Committee shall file its report with the Clerk of the Assembly on or before the second anniversary of its establishment under subsection 3(3).
9 Upon filing its report under Section 8, the Basic Income Study Committee is dissolved.
10 Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Government of the Province shall declare its willingness to participate in a federal basic income pilot study pending the submission of the report of the Basic Income Study Committee.
11 The money required for the purpose of Section 5 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 © 2016 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created May 6, 2016. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
