Congress Booklet Program and Events
LINK: BIEN Congress 2026 Program
Pre-Congress Events
Wednesday, August 19
1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Canada Futures Pre-Congress Summit
TMU Ted Rogers School of Management (55 Dundas St. W., Toronto) – 7th Floor
An afternoon of collective strategy — naming our shared ambitions for basic income in Canada, mapping the current landscape, and committing to concrete work ahead.
International colleagues are welcome!
LINK: Canada Futures Summit Agenda and Background Material
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Screening of It’s Basic
TMU Ted Rogers School of Management (55 Dundas St. W., Toronto) – 7th Floor
Presented by the Basic Income Piloter’s Network.
“It’s Basic,” looks at several pilot programs launched in the US that test the effects of giving everyday people an extra $500 to $1,000 monthly, with no strings attached. Directed by Marc Levin and executive produced by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) Founder Michael Tubbs, the film explores the power of cash, the importance of dignity, and the ongoing work of providing an income floor through the eyes of guaranteed income recipients who have witnessed firsthand the life-altering effects of financial stability.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Toronto BiG Meet-Up
Electric Mind (35 John St., Toronto)
A Toronto-based casual meet-up organized by UBI Works for people working on or curious about basic income, including prominent locals who may not be able to attend the Congress. With remarks from The Honourable Senator Kim Pate and Dr. Guy Standing, Co-founder of BIEN.
Thursday - Saturday
August 20th - 22nd
Thursday, August 20
TRSM building, 55 Dundas St. W.
*Lunch will be provided on site, as well as morning and afternoon coffee breaks.
8:00 a.m. – Congress registration desk opens
9:00 – The official Opening of the Congress and a Plenary on the Polycrisis.
11:30 to 6:00 – A series of 24 breakout sessions of either 60 or 90 minutes. In each time slot, there will be six sessions happening simultaneously. Such difficult choices to make.
6:00 to 8:00 – A reception for informal conversation and an occasion to celebrate BIEN’s 40th Anniversary! There will be light food—and cake.
Friday, August 21
TRSM
*The Lunch period is longer on Friday and open so people can explore the neighbourhood and its variety of food. Coffee breaks will be provided on site.
9:00 a.m. – Plenary on the Polycrisis
10:00 to 5:30 – Breakout sessions, again 24, with four sets of six simultaneous sessions.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.- Film screening of Elephant Run: Inside the Basic Income Movement with its director Simon Pesta, on the creation of BIEN in 1986 and what, 40 years on, continues to motivate its founders and new generations of activists to stay so committed to this concept of unconditional basic income, especially now in our time of polycrisis.
Saturday, August 22
TRSM
*Lunch and coffee breaks will be served on site.
9:00 to 11:00 – BIEN General Assembly (BIEN’s executive and governance meeting)
11:00 to 11:15 – Coffee will be served as the GA ends and the majority of registrants arrive to begin breakout sessions.
11:15 to 5:00 – Breakout sessions.
5:00 to 5:30 – Closing plenary and passing the torch to Poland as next year’s host.
6:00-9:00 pm, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor St W
Head straight over from the closing plenary for a reception and launch party, co-hosted by ITSA Foundation (US) & UBI Works (CA), including a first look at the Bootstraps docuseries (two finished episodes on the big screen) and big news from ITSA and Comingle about their upcoming US impact campaign, plus food, drinks, and mingling into the night to close out the Congress. Register here to secure your free ticket and spot on the guest list!
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