Kourtney Koebel

Kourtney is a PhD graduate of the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto. Here research interests include labour markets and social policy, as well as poverty alleviation strategies. Her current research involves evaluating the labour supply effects of the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) using applied econometrics and bridging together different schools of thought on how we formally think about, and conceive of, the broad concept of “work”. She has also worked on several projects related to the concept of a basic income guarantee (BIG), including the design and financing of a BIG in Canada, as well as the political feasibility and framing of such a policy. This work includes simulating a revenue-neutral basic income and examining the static effects it could have on the poverty rate and distribution of income in Canada.

Publications

• Dhuey, E. & Koebel, K. (2022). Is there an optimal school starting age? IZA World of Labor, 247.v2, 1–9
• Baker, J., Koebel, K. & Tedds, L. M. (2021). Gender disparities in the labour market? Examining the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta. The School of Public Policy Publications, 14(18), 1–35
• Koebel, K., Pohler, D., Gomez, R. & Mohan, A. (2021). Public policy in a time of crisis: A framework for evaluating Canada’s COVID-19 income support programs. Canadian Public Policy, 47(2), 316-333
• Baker, J., Koebel, K. & Tedds, L. M. (2021). Gender Disparities in the Labour Market? Examining the COVID-19 Pandemic in Alberta. In Alberta’s Economic and Fiscal Future. R. Mansell & K. J. McKenzie (Eds.). Calgary: University of Calgary Press, pp. 48–69
• Koebel, K. & Pohler, D. (2020). Basic Income. In Reimagining the Regulation and Governance of Work. D. Pohler (Ed.). Labor and Employment Relations Association Research Volume. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, pp. 193–221
• Koebel, K., & Pohler, D. (2020). Labor markets in crisis: The double liability of low-wage work during COVID-19. Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society (Berkeley), 59(4), 503-531
• Boadway, Robin, Katherine Cuff, and Kourtney Koebel (2019). Designing a Basic Income Guarantee for Canada. In Goodyear-Grant, E., Myles, J., Kymlicka, W., & Johnston, R (Eds.), Federalism and the Welfare State in a Multicultural World. McGill-Queen's University Press
• Koebel, K., & Pohler, D. (2019). Expanding the Canada Workers Benefit to Design a Guaranteed Basic Income. Canadian Public Policy, 45(3): 283-309. 10.3138/cpp.2019-016
• Boadway, Robin & Cuff, Katherine & Koebel, Kourtney. (2018). Can Self-Financing Redeem the Basic Income Guarantee? Disincentives, Efficiency Costs, Tax Burdens, and Attitudes: A Rejoinder. Canadian Public Policy. 44. 1-11. 10.3138/cpp.2018-044. 
• Boadway, Robin & Cuff, Katherine & Koebel, Kourtney (2018). Implementing a Basic Income Guarantee in Canada: Prospects and Problems. Memorial University of Newfoundland.
• Koebel, K., and T. Schirle. 2016. The differential impact of universal child benefits on the labour supply of married and single mothers. Canadian Public Policy, 42(1), 49–64. 10.3138/cpp.2015-049
• Boadway, R., K. Cuff & K. Koebel. 2016. “Designing a basic income guarantee for Canada.” Working Paper No. 1371, Department of Economics, Queen’s University, Kingston.