This should be an evaluation based on age, number of dependents, and based on a persons ability to work. Similarly structured to how a persons tax deductibles are evaluated based on various, sometimes fluctuating, factors. As well there should be more incentives for individuals to gain more earnings and climb the "ladder" of a company, this could include subsidies for small businesses to be able to pay individuals more. Minimum wage is meant for those just entering the workforce (for example a 14 year old working at Dairy Queen for pocket money), however in our current structure minimum wage needs to be enough for a person to feed themselves, their families, and provide a place to live. This system is inadequate and needs to be re-evaluated. Obviously a person who needs to pay rent should be capable of doing so by working a reasonable amount, and a 14 year old who lives at home should not have the same income if their expenses don't match up unless they are in a position where they are supporting their family.
A Standard Base Income would solve this problem if it were separate from minimum wage, but age needs to be considered here as well. If Standard Base Income only kicks in when a person turns a certain age, emancipated children or youth-in-care may fall through the cracks. Also a person who lives in an expensive area, Vancouver for instance, would have a way higher cost of living than say someone living in Winnipeg.
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