In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1406 Canadian voters, more than a third favour the 
introduction of a guaranteed annual minimum income to replace other state supports like social assistance, unemployment and pensions (36%), a sharp increase from the last time we polled this question four years ago (November 2012 – 27%).
Fewer than this oppose the idea (33%) and a similar proportion don’t share an opinion (31%). The basic income is especially favoured by the youngest (44%), males (44%), the least wealthy (45% – often a proxy for youth), in Atlantic Canada and Quebec (42% each) but not so much in Alberta (25%), among Liberals (44%) and New Democrats (45%) but not among Conservatives (21%).“The longer our economic difficulties persist, the more attractive the idea of a basic income for all citizens becomes. It is, naturally, not as popular with small “c” conservatives, who no doubt see it as money for nothing, but it is very popular with youth and those in Quebec and the Atlantic,” said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at The Forum Poll™ – Sharp increase in those favouring minimum income
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