James O'Grady

Thanks for the feedback Steve. I know it seems daunting but I agree with you, a taxable UBI that goes to everyone, no matter their economic status, would be the best way to ensure we lift everyone out of poverty and provide all Canadians the ability to choose their own path. As long as it’s taxable the extra funds come back into the government coffers. Allowing people to decline it up front if they do chose would help prevent excessive ad in.  And, as you say, it would help simplify our social assistance programs by eliminating most, if not all of them. That doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be jobs for social workers elsewhere or in the private sector. My mother had her own counselling practice long before joining the provincial government. 



As for Hugh Segal, he was the heart and soul, and I’d say the brains behind Mulroney’s government. He essentially ran Mulroney’s PMO if I remember correctly. He was a Progressive Conservative. No one equates the Liberal government of Justin or even his father Pierre Trudeau with Joe Clarke or Brian Mulroney’s PC governments. I know this was a slogan of Poilievre’s during the leadership campaign to slag his main opponent, but it’s not based on any factual history. It’s just his idea of short m, sound bite marketing. And, take it from a politico/marketer with a degree in history like me, it’s total bs.