CBC News

P.E.I.'s Green Party released its full platform for the coming provincial election Monday afternoon. The platform includes about $30 million in new spending, with the biggest chunk — $10 million — going toward increasing social assistance rates.

"We acknowledge poverty is a complex issue, but envision fewer people living in poverty by immediately increasing access to existing programs and services," the platform said. "I believe that Islanders want a government that presents a pathway toward a practical, harmonious, and affordable future," said Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker.

Journal Pioneer

An expert on the subject of the basic income guarantee, a proposed social program that would see all adults receive a regular payment from government, will be delivering two lectures in P.E.I. this week.

Evelyn Forget, an economist at the University of Manitoba, has conducted research on basic income guarantee programs in Canada and around the world. She is also the author of a new book, “Basic Income for Canadians: The Key to a Healthier, Happier, more Secure Life for All”.

Roderick Benns

Opinion

One day, a man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir.”

The man chuckled.

“But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

CBC News

The P.E.I. Legislature agreed unanimously Tuesday to have the province work with the federal government in hopes of setting up a basic-income pilot project on the Island.

The idea is to guarantee a minimum amount of money in government support each month to those living in poverty. 

Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker put forward the motion, which was supported by all parties.

Bevan-Baker said a successful pilot project could reduce poverty, improve health and mental health, increase educational attainment, reduce crime and act as a response to increased automation and outsourcing.

According to CBC News, Prince Edward Island's "help wanted" listings for April to June 2015 "offered the lowest average hourly wages in the country, according to a recent Statistics Canada report."  

They also report that "the wages offered in 1,500 job listings on P.E.I. in the second quarter, and found the money averaged $13.70 an hour. That's almost $2 less than the average for jobs listed for the same time period in neighbouring New Brunswick." 

By Roderick Benns

Publisher of Leaders and Legacies, a social purpose news site

Perhaps now, in the middle of a federal election, it would be a good time to stop pretending that we are helpless to eliminate poverty. In a nation as wealthy and as privileged as Canada, poverty is simply a social construction. It is the result of decisions we continue to make (or not make) as a society — and it is costing us dearly. Inequality breeds poorer health outcomes. It drains our economy. It compromises our moral purpose as one of the world’s leading nations.