Nova Scotia has the highest poverty and food insecurity rates across the 10 provinces. Clearly our “social safety net” is letting too many people fall through the holes. What could it mean for Nova Scotians if there was an income floor no one could fall below? Seniors in financial need may access the Guaranteed Income Supplement, families with young children can access the Canada Child Benefit; but what about everyone else?

 

Of course, we need to think of today’s poor and creating equitable income policies to support them, and, we need to also consider the job insecurity we can surely anticipate as climate change, AI, global tariffs all loom in the immediate future. Again, what could it mean if all Nova Scotians were guaranteed a monthly income, regardless of work status?

 

Roger and Becca look forward to a lively discussion about the transformative potential of Canada implementing a Basic Income Guarantee. We’ll talk about learnings from pilot projects in both Manitoba and Ontario, share what’s happening as PEI bids to be a province-wide demo site and raise awareness of advocacy efforts at local, provincial and national levels.

 

 

Becca Green-LaPierre is a wife, mom and registered dietitian.

She obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph (2003), and a master’s degree from Mount Saint Vincent University (2008). During her years at the Mount as both a graduate student and faculty member she had the privilege of working on many participatory action research projects focused on individual and community food security under the leadership of Dr. Patty Williams. Much of this research exposed the need for effective income based policies to effectively address food insecurity. Becca works as a Public Health Nutritionist and is grateful to partner with local, provincial and national initiatives advancing food security, such as Basic Income-Nova Scotia!

Becca lives on a small, urban farm where she and her family are learning to grow vegetables and raise pigs, goats, and chickens.

 

 

Roger Tatlock is a graduate of Acadia University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a Specialization in Mental Retardation, as it was called then. He worked in the field of services to people with an intellectual disability for over 35 years; including vocational and residential services and as an instructor in a community college program that prepares people to work in human services. In 2012 Roger received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his work.

Originally from Glace Bay, Cape Breton. Roger lives in Wolfville. Retired for 10 years he enjoys biking, weight lifting, kayaking and refereeing basketball. Married for over 35 years, Roger has two adult children and a grandchild that live in our community.

Over the last few years Roger has been an active advocate for a Basic Income Guarantee and a member of Basic Income Guarantee – Nova Scotia.