Beyond Empiricism: Exploring the Promises and Pitfalls of Basic Income Pilots in Canada

Numerous state and community actors have initiated basic income (BI) pilots to demonstrate the efficacy of cash transfers. Notwithstanding the substantial evidence on BI-like programs, pilots continue to be introduced at the community level but have consistently failed to be scaled-up to the national level. In this conceptual paper, we explore the multiple streams approach to policymaking and a critical policy studies orientation that offers valuable nuance on why the implementation of BI has been stymied in Canada, and what role pilots potentially play in this country. Concerns surround pilot framing, problematic interpretations of evidence, and troubling ethical considerations. We highlight potential ways that pilots can be helpful in mobilizing citizens and the political will to install BI permanently into Canada’s social protection infrastructure. These include providing instructive information on BI implementation, rallying strong support constituencies, and educating policymakers on the flawed adoption of the deservingness paradigm to orient social welfare programming.