This week's Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Sparks called the meeting to order. President Tim Heaton introduced the head table, following which Michael Pierson led us in the singing of O Canada and greeter Mark Stachiw delivered the invocation.
President Tim thanked our volunteers at the front entrance: John Seigner, Larry Martin and Bill Clapham. Thanks also go out to Randy Borisenko and Morguard for this week's COG sponsorship.
With club secretary Kurt Kowalchuk still in Cambodia, Barbara Young welcomed our visiting Rotarians and guests, and announced our three members celebrating birthdays this week.
President Tim announced the passing on January 10th of Kerry Longpre, who was a corporate member under the Calgary Foundation until her retirement in 2017.
Faye Watkins, wife of member Gerry Watkins passed away on January 17th. A sympathy card was circulated for signatures by those in attendance at the meeting.
Tom Tait presented an honorary Paul Harris Fellowship to Michael Colborne on behalf of the Paul Harris Fellowship Committee. The committee recognized Michael for his many contributions to Rotary, including his key role in Rotary Employment Partnerships. For those who may not be familiar with them, the employment partnerships are a joint initiative of Rotary Districts 5360 and 5370, Inclusion Alberta, and the provincial government to provide developmentally disabled Albertans with every opportunity for a career, to make a contribution, to earn an income and to be valued as community members. Congratulations Michael!
There were several other announcements this week.
Our February 5th club meeting is focused on attracting new members. We have special pricing for members bringing guests: $70 for you and your guest. Club member Tom Keenan, always an engaging speaker, will bring us up to date with events since the publication of his book. His presentation, Techno Creep: Five Years Later, promises to be full of information on current and emerging cyber threats.
The deadline for placing orders with the Rotary Club of Calgary West club's Valentine's strawberry fundraiser is February 7th. The Calgary West club will deliver your orders for free to locations within Calgary and Airdrie, provided your total order is $42 or more. All orders will be available on February 14th. Orders can be placed with Marie Rickard, or online at www.calgarywestrotaryclub.org/strawberryOrder.htm.
Our club meeting on February 12th features Premier Rachel Notley as our guest speaker. Tickets are only available to club members, and must be purchased online before the meeting.
David Richardson introduced our speaker, Dr. Jack Mintz, President's Fellow of The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. Dr. Mintz's presentation addressed the topic of the guaranteed minimum incomes as a potentially more efficient replacement for several social programs.
The idea is not a new one, as the guaranteed minimum income was first proposed by Milton Friedman, an American economist, in 1962. Subsequently, the Macdonald Commission (Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada) recommended a Universal Income Security Program (UISP) in 1984.
Milton Friedman's original proposal was part of a suggested major reform of US taxation, which also included a flat tax. One of the major suggested benefits of adopting a guaranteed income would have been the avoidance of poverty through tag grants. Another effect would have been a significant reduction in the size of the bureaucracies associated with existing social assistance, including welfare programs.
Although such a tax has been considered in Canada, and a number of pilot programs have been tried, there are still a number of questions that remain unanswered.
Current social programs incorporate a number of valid "targeting" mechanisms that would need to be addressed. For example, the tax code provides provisions for equalizing the cost of living across the country. Would a guaranteed minimum income need to account for the current tax allowance for northern residents?
How would other social programs, particularly those that currently include income testing and claw backs, account for a guaranteed minimum income? What effects would a guaranteed minimum income have on Canadians' motivations to work, or to save for retirement?
Dr. Mintz concluded his remarks by noting that while there is a certain appeal to the idea of a minimum guaranteed income, governments would need to be careful in handing over a single cheque to Canadian households.
Following an active question and answer session, Steve Austin thanked our speaker.
COG Staff - January 29, 2019
Editor
Craig Henderson
Photography
Ralph Lundberg
Sponsorships
David Holden
Rotary Club of Calgary - Chartered April 1914 as Club #949
Suite 305, 105-12 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1A1
