Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition office. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – A new report suggests a Basic Income Guarantee could help reduce poverty in the territory, though it isn’t a cure-all.
The Basic Income Background Report, prepared by the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition, finds nearly 13 per cent of Yukoners —around 5,200 people — lived in poverty in 2022. Single parents, Indigenous residents and rural communities were disproportionately affected.
A basic income guarantee means providing unconditional payments to individuals to ensure they have enough for basic needs.
The report suggests that it would improve health, food and housing security while reducing reliance on emergency and justice services.
It concludes that more research and consultation would be needed would need to be paired with investments in mental health, substance use, housing and social supports.
