Support provincial and national efforts to implement a guaranteed annual livable income.

All-Party Committee on Basic Income recommends Basic Income Pilot in NL

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s All-Party Committee on Basic Income completed its final report in September 2025, which was tabled in April 2026. This recommends the province work with the federal government to implement a Basic Income pilot in NL. Implementing such a pilot would be a significant step forward for this Call for Change.

NL Anti-Poverty Coalition formed

More than 40 organizations, including First Light, have come together to form the new NL Anti-Poverty Coalition. To date, the coalition has recommended implementing the Basic Income Pilot proposed by the All-Party Committee (noted above), raising income supports above the poverty line, indexing benefits such as Income Support to inflation, increasing the income thresholds for the NL Child Benefit and child nutrition programs, and raising the minimum wage to a living wage. Although the provincial government has announced plans to develop a 10-year poverty reduction strategy, it has not yet released further details or a timeline.

Increase in disability benefits to alleviate symptoms of poverty for some

Disability benefits at both the federal and provincial levels have increased in the past year by $200 and $400 per month respectively. Those living with disabilities and low incomes who qualify for the disability tax credit will now receive more income support to alleviate the rising cost of living. This is likely to have positive effects for individuals who already have access to the program. However, eligibility for the disability tax credit is complex and requires significant systems navigation work. For this reason, there will be many eligible individuals living with disabilities who may struggle to obtain it.