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Basic income in addition to other benefits

Implementing a basic income in Canada needs to be in addition to other social assistance benefits. Those benefits include current income assistance and medical coverage like dental, vision, prescription drugs, among others. Without those benefits many individuals would continue to struggle with meeting their basic needs. The cost of dental care, vision care, and prescription drugs continue to remain incredibly high for people without insurance. Many people who do currently receive insurance to cover additional medical needs get them through their employer, however people working at lower paying jobs typically do not receive them. That leaves people making minimum wage or close to minimum wage paying the full cost of these services. This in return causes people to not seek medical services until it is absolutely necessary. When it becomes necessary, in some cases, people will be required to go to the hospital causing health care costs to go up in the country. If people were provided with these services from the start, they would be able to take care of themselves and their families by getting essential medical services. Basic income should also be in addition to a livable minimum wage. Individuals deserve to be compensated fairly for their work. People receiving basic income should also be eligible to receive current social assistance benefits in Canada. Seniors in Canada who receive the Canada Pension Plan may also be eligible for Old Age Security like parents are eligible for the Canada Child Benefit if they qualify. 

Further information on health outcomes can be found here. Information on the Canada Child Benefit and Old Age Security can be found here. 

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