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Several people hold signs urging a guaranteed livable income.
Credit: Trinity United Church, Grimsby
Published On: April 6, 2023

On March 24‒26, United Church guaranteed livable income supporters held actions and vigils across the country. Here’s a quick cross-country update. You can connect with the GLI Network by contacting  justice@united-church.ca  or visiting the GLI webpage for more information.

North Vancouver

The group at federal Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson’s office was led by Judith Hardcastle and St. Andrew’s United Church.

Four people hold signs urging a guaranteed livable income
Credit: St. Andrew’s United Church, North Vancouver

East Vancouver

The group at NDP MP Jenny Kwan’s office urged the federal NDP party to press the Liberals to enact a guaranteed livable income.

Two side-by-side photos each show 2 people holding up signs urging a guaranteed livable income.
Left: Kate and the Rev. Barry Morris. Right: The Rev. Margaret Marquardt and the Rev. Barry Morris.
Credit: GLI supporters, East Vancouver

Vancouver

People from three different churches—two of them United Churches—called on city council to endorse the guaranteed livable income as Victoria and Sooke, BC, already have.

Two people hold up signs supporting a guaranteed livable income.
Credit: GLI supporters, Vancouver

Thunder Bay

At the Hon. Patty Hajdu’s office, the group from Poverty Free Thunder Bay and the United Church was led by Ernie Epp.

Several people hold up a United Church of Canada banner and signs supporting a guaranteed livable income.
Credit: GLI supporters, Thunder Bay

Sudbury

At MP Viviane Lapointe’s office, the group from St. Andrew’s United Church organized by Torrin Maag and other young adults garnered excellent press coverage, including on CTV News with their creative mock funeral and outreach to local politicians and press: SomeSudbrians want a guaranteed livable income. Other news stories include St.Andrew’s church holds vigil in support of guaranteed incomes and Guaranteed Livable Income is not perfect but it’s a solution, Sudbury Christians Say.

A group of people hold up a mock coffin and signs encouraging a guaranteed livable income
Participants in a March 26 vigil supporting a guaranteed livable income organized by St. Andrew’s United Church, Sudbury.
Credit: Heidi Ulrichsen/Sudbury.com

Grimsby

At the Town of Grimsby Offices, the Rev. Donalee Williams-led the group from Trinity United Churchgarnered local support from Councillor Jennifer Korstanje. Read the news: "Urgentlyneeded": Grimsby church joins call for a guaranteed livable income.

Two people hold up signs supporting a guaranteed livable income.
Credit: Trinity United Church, Grimsby

Toronto

At City Councillor Alejandra Bravo’s office, Tina Conlon and Bread and Bricks led a large group from United churches and ministries.

Two photos side by side show a woman and a large group holding up signs supporting a guaranteed livable income.
Left: Toronto City Councillor Alejandra Bravo. Right: Packed meeting room with leadership from Bread and Bricks group and attended by staff from provincial NDP leader Marit Stiles’ office.
Credit: Toronto GLI supporters

Halifax

Basic Income Nova Scotia organized a Hybrid Basic Income Conference at the Halifax Library that was promoted by United Church members.

Upcoming vigils

  • St. John’s, NL: Multifaith Vigil is scheduled for April 15 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Regina, SK: A vigil is planned for the spring.