This session starts with an overview of basic income as a social movement in Canada from the authors of The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice. It then moves into recent achievements in unifying the growing movement into a BINow campaign geared to electing candidates who will support and champion a basic income politically.

Each pair of presenters will take 15 minutes to describe the work they’ve done and how it contributes to understanding how we keep building and improving effectiveness in the basic income movement in Canada. The final 15 minutes will be devoted to general Q and A.

Chelsea Stephens, UBIWorks, BINow Campaign

Elaine Power, co-author, The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice

Elaine Power is a professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Studies, a founding member of the Kingston Action Group for a Basic Income Guarantee, and co-author, with Jamie Swift, of The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice published by BTL Press (2021). She situates her teaching and research in feminist food studies and public health sociology.

Jamie Swift, co-author, The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice

Kingston, Ontario writer/activist Jamie Swift is the author of numerous books on Canadian politics and history. They include, most recently The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice (with Elaine Power). He's been part of Canada's Basic Income movement for nine years.

Benjamin Earle, UBI Works and Basic Income Canada Network

Ben Earle is General Manger of both Basic Income Canada Network and UBI Works. WIth a background in applied anthropology and criminology, Ben has had a successful career in community development, social planning research, and non-profit sector leadership. He has experience undertaking community based research in the area of income security, food system planning, labour market development, and immigration and settlement. In addition, Ben is an experienced community developer, and has organised diverse stakeholders to address pressing community and policy concerns at the local, provincial and national levels. He lives in Bowmanville, Ontario, with his wife and two children.

The Political Ecology of Basic Income in Canada: Basic Income as a Social Movement