I learned so much about the history of efforts for a guaranteed liveable or annual income in Canada - and not just that but also about the Canadian Progressive Conservatice Party (which has not been how I’ve rolled politically). I always appreciate nuance in approach and I enjoyed getting to know Segal’s life and legacy in addition to key lessons in the history of Canadian public policy.

A fascinating account of Hugh Segal’s family history and the very detailed (and I must confess) a tad tedious, confusing narrative of his political life with new multiple personalities popping up in each paragraph that influenced him. I had hoped to gain insights into Universal Basic Income but was disappointed on that account. Mr. Segal provides the political rational across all spectra, reinforced by his own family’s example why UBI is a tool worthy of more serious consideration. However, it just trickles off at that level. An excellent communicator, he could have provided a more definitive solution.

While this book may not have been a perfect piece of literature; Hugh is a 5 star guy and G.A.I. is a 5 star idea. The biggest lie that those of us who could be labelled as "Haves" tell ourselves is that we are somewhow smarter, harder working, more moral etc. than the "Have Nots"; in reality the "Haves" usually have the right parents, the right neighbourhood, the right perceived race-culture-ethnicity etc. and a lot of good luck. We only need to look at the current premier of Ontario, prime minister of Canada and president of the United States.

I liked the beginning - it was interesting to read about Hugh Segal’s early life in Montreal and some of the events that shaped his thinking.
And I liked the end (the last 2 chapters or so), where he talked about the basic income pilot in Ontario.
But the middle. I had to drag myself, page by page, through stories of senate sub-committee meetings... not my thing.
I thought the book would have more about the theory of guaranteed income and different approaches to implementing it. I’d like to read about that so will need to keep looking.