Originally from Treaty 7 territory and currently residing on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe land (Ottawa), Kendal David (she/they) is interested in basic income as a radical alternative to reforming inadequate and inhumane social policies that keep people in poverty. Kendal fell into basic income activism during social work practicum placements where she became frustrated and disillusioned with failed and flawed attempts to address the lived realities of poverty through charity and philanthropy. 

Kendal is a PhD Candidate in the School of Social Work at Carleton University, who studies and writes about disability justice, poverty, and income supports. Kendal holds an MSW (Carleton University) and BSW (University of Calgary).

Based on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe land (Ottawa), Chloe Halpenny (she/her) entered the basic income world through her Master’s research, where she spoke with participants in the Ontario Basic Income Pilot as part of a critical feminist analysis. For her, basic income’s transformative potential lies in its capacity to address material deprivation, challenge productivism, and cultivate a culture of interdependence and care.

Chloe is a PhD student and Vanier Scholar at Queen’s University, Research Associate at the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation, and member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa. She holds Master’s degrees in Gender Studies (University of Cambridge) and Social Policy & Development (London School of Economics).

Based in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory, Manpinder Dhillon (he/him) is a Co-Coordinator with the Seven Oaks School Division working with newcomer students and their families. He graduated from the Maples Met School, a Big Picture Learning, a project and internship-based high school in the Seven Oaks School Division.

His Senior Thesis Project explored the question: "How can we reduce poverty in Canada?”, focusing on the possibility of implementing a basic income to ensure that people can live a life with dignity, joy, and respect. Manpinder's project focused on the benefits of basic income, health outcomes for low-income individuals, resources on basic income, different basic income projects in Canada, and funding of a basic income program. Manpinder has also interned with Rob Altemeyer's office, MP Leah Gazan's office, Seven Oaks Immigrant Services, and audited classes at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba.

Shanaya Fischer (she/her/wîya) is a Cree woman whose roots are from Cowessess First Nations (Treaty 4), but grew up and resides in Calgary, Alberta (Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7 Territory). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (University of Calgary) and a Master’s in Social Justice and Human Rights from Arizona State University.

She became passionate about social welfare policies through her work with youth in the criminal justice system and her work with children’s services. She hopes to reform child welfare practices that disproportionately target Indigenous people and families in poverty. She firmly believes in securing basic income for families as a key part in breaking cycles of trauma and in building healthier, more vibrant communities.

Based in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory, Hannah (she/her), is a Technical Writer at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Hannah co-authored a book with Dr. Evelyn Forget titled Radical Trust: Basic Income for Complicated Lives, released in fall 2021.

Hannah is a graduate of the Creative Communications program at Red River College where she majored in journalism. She also has a background in public relations, marketing, and media production. Hannah’s work has appeared in several major news outlets in Manitoba, including the Winnipeg Free Press and CBC News Manitoba. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Human Rights from the University of Winnipeg.

Originally from Treaty 7 territory and currently residing in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal, QC), Ellen Spannagel (she/her) sees a basic income guarantee as essential in helping ensure that people are equipped to survive future climate-crisis related impacts. Ellen is a BCL/JD candidate at McGill University and became interested in basic income activism through her engagement with public interest work and human rights advocacy.

Ellen is passionate about research and advocacy that creatively uses law as a tool to meaningfully account for social inequities. She has previously worked and interned for organizations such Human Rights Watch, Forum for Human Rights, and the Canadian Centre for Elder Law on topics including climate justice, disability justice, and the rights of aging communities. She also holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Humanities from Carleton University.