Income and Social Supports: An Inclusive Systems-Based Approach to Cash Transfer Program Design

Abstract

This article presents a systems-based framework for the inclusive design of cash transfer programs in Canada. Grounded in the goal of enhancing inclusion through an intersectional lens, the framework integrates insights from policy design, empirical economics, and systems thinking. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating both individual-level outcomes—such as adequacy, accessibility, and participation—and macro-level impacts, including cost, low-income rate reduction, and public support. We show how the British Columbia Basic Income Expert Panel applied this framework and where improvements can be made. This approach offers practical guidance for policymakers developing equitable and effective income support programs.