Targeted Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot

Summary#

This bill would create a four‑year pilot project to test a guaranteed basic income in parts of Nova Scotia with the highest child poverty rates. The Finance Minister must design and start the pilot within a year of the law taking effect, but only if the Legislature approves funding. Cabinet will set the payment amount and detailed rules. After four years, the government must evaluate the results and report them to the House of Assembly.

• Government will identify communities with the highest child poverty rates and run the pilot there.
• Cabinet (Governor in Council) will set the payment amount and how the pilot works through regulations.
• The pilot must run for at least four years and can be extended.
• The Finance Minister must evaluate the pilot after four years and table the results publicly.
• The project only proceeds if the Legislature votes the money for it.

What it means for you#

• Residents in selected areas

  • You may receive a guaranteed basic income payment during the pilot. The amount and who qualifies will be set later by regulation.
  • Payments would last at least four years in your area, unless the pilot is extended.
  • How to apply, how often you are paid, and any reporting rules will be announced by the government in the regulations.

• Parents and children

  • The pilot targets areas with high child poverty, so families in those communities may see more stable income and support during the pilot.
  • The bill does not say how this income will interact with other benefits (like provincial or federal programs). Details will come in regulations.

• People outside the selected areas

  • You would not receive payments under this pilot.
  • You may still be affected later if the evaluation leads to wider policy changes.

• Taxpayers province‑wide

  • The program will use public funds approved by the Legislature. This could affect future budget choices, but the bill does not set a dollar amount.

• Timing and transparency

  • The Minister must identify the areas, design the pilot, and start it within one year of the law taking effect, if funding is approved.
  • Results must be evaluated after four years and made public.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• A guaranteed basic income can reduce poverty and financial stress, especially for children and families in the hardest‑hit communities.
• Stable cash support may improve health, school outcomes, and food and housing security.
• A four‑year pilot is long enough to see real‑world effects and learn what works before making bigger changes.
• Money paid to residents is likely to be spent locally, which could help small businesses in pilot areas.
• Publishing the evaluation adds transparency and evidence for future decisions.

Opponents' View#

• The pilot could be expensive, and the bill gives no cost estimate or funding plan.
• Limiting payments to certain areas may seem unfair to low‑income people who live elsewhere.
• Key details (payment amount, eligibility, and links to other benefits) are left to regulations, which some see as too much power for Cabinet with limited debate.
• There is a risk of confusion or “benefit cliffs” if payments end after four years.
• Running a new income program alongside existing provincial and federal benefits could be complex and create overlap or gaps.