Canada is already on a quasi-UBI system, but don't call it that. UBI is too socialist for many Canadian voters.

There are various provincial/federal programs to put disposible income into the hands of the less well off. The only qualifications are your previous year's tax assessment. The payments come automatically for 12 months after this assessment is recorded. No applications needed.

My family belongs to the lower middle class. We got about 15% of our income from the federal Child Benefit Program. It definitely took a little financial edge off us.

If we had less income, the benefit would have been greater. With a greater income, the benefit would have been lower. THere is a prorated formula to calculate how much recipients get. I believe a household income of $70,000 is the threshhold where benefits from this program no longer come in the household.

There are several other programs like this. Because our income is too high, we usually don't qualify. But for those in the working poor or social assistance category, these programs keep the needy people in some funds. And the administration is probably much lower than traditional social assistance programs.