The Trudeau Liberals are proposing the idea of a guaranteed national minimum income as they search for ways to help Canadian workers adapt to an unsteady labour market through Canada’s social welfare safety net. A guaranteed minimum income means transfer payments from the government to those earning below this minimum standard. What it costs in additional spending, it makes up in reduced bureaucracy for both the government and recipients. Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said the current suite of federal programs could one day be enhanced to provide a minimum income to all Canadians, particularly those without children who aren't eligible for federal benefits for families, seniors or the working poor, such as the Child Tax Credit.