National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act

This bill does not create a basic income program itself. Instead, it requires the federal Minister of Finance to develop a national framework — essentially a plan — for how a "guaranteed livable basic income" could be provided to every person in Canada over the age of 17.

In creating this framework, the Minister must consult widely: the ministers responsible for health, employment, social development, housing and disability, provincial government representatives in related areas, Indigenous Elders and governing bodies, and outside experts. The framework has to figure out what counts as a "livable" income in different regions based on real costs of living, set national standards for health and social supports that would go alongside a basic income, ensure that people don't have to work, study, or job-train to qualify, and make sure that introducing a basic income doesn't reduce existing disability or health-related benefits and services.

The bill also sets reporting deadlines: within one year of the law taking effect, the Minister must table a report in Parliament laying out the framework and publish it online. Then, starting two years after that report is tabled, and every year afterward, the Minister must review how well the framework is working and report those findings to Parliament as well.

This bill requires the Minister of Finance to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income program and to report on it to Parliament, but does not itself create or fund any income program.

• Who holds the duty — the Minister of Finance must develop the framework, consulting the Minister of Health, ministers responsible for employment, social development, housing and disability, provincial counterparts, Indigenous Elders, Indigenous governing bodies, and other stakeholders.
• What the framework must contain — measures to define a livable income by region, set national health and social support standards, ensure eligibility is not tied to work, education or training participation, and ensure no reduction in existing disability- or health-related benefits.
• Discretion left open — the bill does not set income levels, funding amounts, delivery mechanism, or which level of government would administer payments; these are left for the Minister to determine through the framework.
• Reporting obligations — the Minister must table a report setting out the framework in both Houses of Parliament within one year of the Act coming into force, and publish it online within 10 days of tabling.
• Ongoing review — starting two years after the initial report is tabled, and every year after that, the Minister must review the framework's effectiveness and table further reports in Parliament, with no sunset clause on this reporting requirement.
• No enforcement mechanism — the Act creates no penalties, no new agency, and no legal entitlement to any payment; it only obliges the Minister to plan, consult and report.