KAWARTHA LAKES-Four Lindsay residents have filed a class action lawsuit over the provinces decision to cancel the Basic Income Pilot Project.
Mike Perry, a local social worker and lawyer is working pro bono, acting on their behalf. Perry says they are filing for “anticipatory breach of contract, negligence, and misfeasance in public office” for the Ford government’s abrupt cancellation of the pilot program.
Dana Bowman, Grace Marie Doyle Hillion, Susan Lindsay, and Tracey Mechefske are the residents involved. Bowman and Mechefske held a press conference at the Days Inn in Lindsay today to discuss the move. They allege the Province knew “the period of the research study was stated and known as three years,” according to papers filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
According to the Notice of Action, “the Defendant’s decision to cancel the basic income pilot project research study has caused direct, significant harm to the Plaintiffs and all members of the intended class, which the Defendant could reasonably have foreseen.”
Approximately 2,000 people in Lindsay and another 2,000 from Hamilton area and Thunder Bay area are part of the pilot project. Under the program single people were to receive a basic income of up to $17,000 a year and couples would receive up to $24,000. Those on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works were transferred to the Basic Income Pilot.
Many people signed leases for housing and some purchased much needed vehicles with the expectation of the program continuing for three years.
Terry Davis could pay her rent, buy food and breathe a little easier thanks to the Basic Income Pilot Project launched by the former Ontario Liberal Government in 2017. She says she is devastated with the cancellation of the project.
“It helped me so much, now I don’t even have enough money to pay my rent. I’m on ODSP and can’t work.” Davis told Kawartha 411.
Read more here:https://www.kawartha411.ca/2018/07/31/lindsay-resident-devastated-by-cancellation-of-basic-income-pilot-project/
Like many others Davis used the additional money to move to a better apartment. Now she says she won’t be able to pay the rent. “Now I have to depend on my son.”
Perry says the suit is not about money and the residents who are part of it just want the project reinstated. They would withdraw the lawsuit if that happens. There will be a Go Fund Me page set up to help with court expenses.
