Support for basic income has been steadily increasing over the years, to the point where the majority of Canadians now support it. Since this is the case, why hasn’t the government implemented it yet? The answer may lie in some of the myths opposing basic income.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Jiaying Zhao and Lorne Whitehead from the University of British Columbia debunk some of the common myths surrounding basic income. They argue that, rather than being unfair, complicated and expensive, basic income can be fair, simple and affordable. They point to existing research that supports basic income as a fiscally-responsible way to provide individuals with stability, safety and security.

Zhao and Whitehead make the case for basic income to be implemented as part of a nationwide program to reduce poverty and enable all Canadian citizens and residents to thrive. They write: “Poverty touches us all — it is everyone’s tragedy, which is absurd because poverty can be affordably reduced.”

Also today:

All the best.

Eleni Vlahiotis

Editor

With careful planning, a basic income system could be designed to be simple, adaptable, reliable and fair. (Shutterstock)

A guaranteed basic income could end poverty, so why isn’t it happening?

Jiaying Zhao, University of British Columbia; Lorne Whitehead, University of British Columbia

Basic income should form part of a practical comprehensive plan for eliminating poverty in Canada.

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Cell cultures have shown promise in representing diseases. The Petri dish is not as different from a sick person as one might think.

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Settlement services need to improve their online offerings for tech-savvy newcomers

Stein Monteiro, Toronto Metropolitan University; Nevyn Pillai, Toronto Metropolitan University

Newcomers need settlement services to learn about life in Canada. Settlement agencies need to use online channels and communicate existing online services to help newcomers before they arrive.

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Samira Farivar, Carleton University; Fang Wang, Wilfrid Laurier University; Ofir Turel, The University of Melbourne

Influencers need to be aware that some of their followers may have unhealthy relationships with social media. Although it contrast with their goals, influencers can help create healthy relationships.

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Laboratory mice are usually distressed and overweight, calling into question research findings

Georgia Mason, University of Guelph; Jessica Cait, University of Guelph

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Joel Lexchin, York University, Canada

Voluntary medical societies have important roles in professional education and advocacy for doctors and patients, but there is need for transparency about relationships with pharma and health industry.

La Conversation Canada

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Les aliments transmettent des messages à nos gènes

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Les scientifiques commencent tout juste à décoder les messages génétiques contenus dans nos aliments – et à comprendre comment ils peuvent affecter notre santé.

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