Basic income class action against Ontario launched [Video]

The provincial government is facing a class-action lawsuit seeking $200 million in damages for the early termination of a basic income pilot project in three cities across Ontario.

On March 4, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified the lawsuit, filed by Cavalluzzo LLP on behalf of 4,000 proposed class members.

The plaintiffs argue the cancellation of the program equates to a breach of contract.

• Download our app to get local alerts on your device
• Get the latest local updates right to your inbox

In 2017, the Ontario government launched a three-year basic income pilot for low-income earners in Hamilton, Lindsay, and Thunder Bay. The goal of the research study was to determine if the government should consider introducing a fixed income.

The 4,000 people who signed onto the pilot completed regular surveys and provided personal information to the researchers. In exchange, single participants received just under $17,000 a year while couples received just over $24,000.

A year later, …