Kathleen Wynne speaks on cancelled basic income pilot in Hamilton

Participants in the now-cancelled basic income pilot project shared their stories and heard from former premier Kathleen Wynneon Monday ata public event in Hamilton.

"It's really the first time, certainlysince the election, we've had the chance to hear from[Wynne]about her thoughts on the impact of the pilot," said Tom Cooper, director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.

CBCHamilton livestreamedthe event on Facebook starting at 9:30 a.m.

Ontario's basic income pilot project officially ended this week, after the Ford government broke a campaign promise andcancelled it in July.

About 4,000 people were involved, in communities including Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Lindsay, Brantford and Brant County.

The intention was to havea three-year study, however, the Fordgovernment'sdecision to scrapthe project early left participants feeling shocked, betrayedand robbed of dignity.

At Monday's event, Cooper saidthey want to showappreciation for thosewho participated in the pilot.

People will discuss the project's vision andimpact, he said,and look tothe future.

"Even thoughthings didn't turn out the way peopleexpected... we really think the pilot itself and the peoplewho were participating in it made a huge difference," he said. "We've seen some really inspiringand important stories emerge."

Cooper said it's important to hear fromWynne about her vision for the pilot and "where she saw things going."

"This was a really important research project. Ittook political gut to bring it to fruition," he said.

Basic income advocates from other countries will also speakvia video, he added.

Cooper expects around 70 participants from the basic incomepilotto attend. The event takes place at the central branch of the Hamilton Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

About 1,000Hamiltonianswerereceiving guaranteed income through the study.

Under the program, recipients receivedup to$16,989 per year for a single person, less 50 per centof any earned income, and $24,027 for a couple. People with disabilities received an additional $6,000.