Hugh Segal’s courageous fight for a guaranteed annual income

As yet another round of malicious, insulting, and degrading political attack ads hits the airwaves in the wake of Justin Trudeau’s accession to the Liberal Party leadership, it is worth recalling that it is not impossible for today’s Conservatives to combine partisanship with dignity.

Although his party might be putting forth its very worst, Senator Hugh Segal continues to demonstrate that politics can still be a source for good.

A former Progressive Conservative leadership candidate, Segal is unquestionably partisan, but unlike the members of the Conservative Party who designed the Trudeau attack ads, he does not treat politics like a game. Rather, he views public service as a means to promote and legislate policies in the national interest.

Take, for example, his ongoing, passionate commitment to the concept of a guaranteed annual income, or GAI.

The idea behind the GAI is to prevent Canadian citizens from falling below the poverty line regardless of their personal circumstances.

The theory obviously appeals to progressives, who maintain that democratic societies must be judged by how they treat their weakest members. Regrettably, however, for too many Conservatives, the appeal to progressives alone is more than enough reason to make a guaranteed annual income program a non-starter.

But it’s not enough for Segal. He understands that most public policy issues are not so black and white.

Regardless of whether or to what extent Canadians should feel an ethical obligation to the nation’s least fortunate, poverty is, without question, bad for business, and thus for national prosperity. Put simply, the poorest lack the purchasing power of the middle class. Poverty is also a tremendous burden on the state and its support systems.

While so-called political strategists refuse to think beyond the 2015 election, Segal speaks of Canada’s long-term strategic needs, and envisions the country that he hopes to leave to the next generation.

Less poverty tends to reduce crime, lead to better health outcomes, and produce higher levels of educational attainment, all three of which are critical elements of a sound strategy for sustainable economic growth.

Regrettably, a guaranteed annual income program does not seem to be a recipe for electoral success. Even self-proclaimed progressives like Trudeau and Thomas Mulcair are focused on the middle class, and not the poor.

Hugh Segal’s courage and dignity therefore stand out, even if they shouldn’t. Canada needs more politicians, of every political colour, committed to promoting and protecting this country’s future, regardless of how many votes that might be worth.

Original Article
Source: thestar.com
Author: Adam Chapnick