Analysis

Description: This paper announces the release of the provisional Market Basket of Measure (MBM) poverty estimates for 2024. The methodology presented in the paper builds upon the 2023 modelling approach which uses preliminary Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax slips to produce the provisional poverty estimates. It also debuts the publication of quality indicators as well as the use of the 2023-base MBM methodology.

Description: This discussion paper outlines the proposed changes and updates for the 2023-base Market Basket Measure (MBM) methodology. The paper provides preliminary 2023-base thresholds and poverty rates for 2020 to 2023 and compares these to the 2018-base thresholds and poverty rates. In addition, the paper identifies research topics which will be conducted in preparation for the next comprehensive review and describes the necessary steps which will lead to a final 2023-base methodology planned for the Fall of 2025.

Description: Living under the poverty line means being unable to buy a basket of goods and services, like food, clothing and footwear, shelter, transportation, and other items. To further explore what is happening under the poverty line, the deep income poverty (DIP) line measures the cost of the most basic living necessities in a region and excludes other goods and services that many Canadians require but the poorest are most likely unable to afford. This paper uses the Canadian Income Survey to explore the deep income poverty in Canada as a measure between 2015 and 2022 and how it differs from the official poverty measure among sociodemographic groups. Poverty is a multifaceted issue and should not be summarized to a single indicator. While documenting the DIP measure, this paper also explores parallel indicators to complement the Market Basket Measure (MBM) of poverty.

Description: This discussion paper begins by providing the reasons for why equivalization methods are used. Following this, the square root scale is described and the motivations for using the square root scale are discussed. Third, a series of new tests are conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the square root scale, and these results are discussed in some detail as they reveal many insights. The final section of the paper raises considerations for creating Market Basket Measure (MBM) thresholds for different types of families, such as unattached individuals and those including seniors or persons with disabilities.

The paper also provides an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to share feedback and comments in measuring poverty by different family characteristics in Canada.

Description: This discussion paper describes the proposed methodology for a Northern Market Basket Measure (MBM-N) for Nunavut, as well as identifies research which could be conducted in preparation for the 2023 review. The paper presents initial MBM-N thresholds and provides preliminary poverty estimates for reference years 2018 to 2021. A review period will follow the release of this paper, during which time Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada will welcome feedback from interested parties and work with experts, stakeholders, indigenous organizations, federal, provincial and territorial officials to validate the results.

Description: This paper provides a brief overview of the Market Basket Measure (MBM) and past comprehensive reviews. It then outlines the objectives, guiding principles, anticipated engagement activities and proposed timelines for the third comprehensive review of the MBM.

Description:

This discussion paper introduces three income inequality indicators and presents estimates obtained by applying these indicators to the Canadian Income Survey (CIS) data using the 2018-base MBM methodology. It provides the opportunity to gage the interest of including these three indicators into the current suite of income inequality indicators to facilitate the analysis of existing disparities and obstacles to income equality.

Description:

This discussion paper describes the proposed methodology for a Northern Market Basket Measure (MBM-N) for Yukon and the Northwest Territories, as well as identifies research which could be conducted in preparation for the 2023 review. The paper presents initial MBM-N thresholds and provides preliminary poverty estimates for reference years 2018 and 2019. A review period will follow the release of this paper, during which time Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada will welcome feedback from interested parties and work with experts, stakeholders, indigenous organizations, federal, provincial and territorial officials to validate the results.

Description:

This report describes the proposed changes to be made to the Market Basket Measure (MBM) as part of the 2018-base, as well as identifying research to be conducted in preparation for the 2023 review. The paper will describe the 2018-base thresholds and compare these to the 2008-base thresholds. Release of this report will be followed by a review period during which Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will work with experts, stakeholders, and federal, provincial and territorial officials to validate the results.

Description: This paper announces the release of the provisional Market Basket of Measure (MBM) poverty estimates for 2024. The methodology presented in the paper builds upon the 2023 modelling approach which uses preliminary Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax slips to produce the provisional poverty estimates. It also debuts the publication of quality indicators as well as the use of the 2023-base MBM methodology.

Description: This discussion paper outlines the proposed changes and updates for the 2023-base Market Basket Measure (MBM) methodology. The paper provides preliminary 2023-base thresholds and poverty rates for 2020 to 2023 and compares these to the 2018-base thresholds and poverty rates. In addition, the paper identifies research topics which will be conducted in preparation for the next comprehensive review and describes the necessary steps which will lead to a final 2023-base methodology planned for the Fall of 2025.

Description: Living under the poverty line means being unable to buy a basket of goods and services, like food, clothing and footwear, shelter, transportation, and other items. To further explore what is happening under the poverty line, the deep income poverty (DIP) line measures the cost of the most basic living necessities in a region and excludes other goods and services that many Canadians require but the poorest are most likely unable to afford. This paper uses the Canadian Income Survey to explore the deep income poverty in Canada as a measure between 2015 and 2022 and how it differs from the official poverty measure among sociodemographic groups. Poverty is a multifaceted issue and should not be summarized to a single indicator. While documenting the DIP measure, this paper also explores parallel indicators to complement the Market Basket Measure (MBM) of poverty.

Description: This discussion paper begins by providing the reasons for why equivalization methods are used. Following this, the square root scale is described and the motivations for using the square root scale are discussed. Third, a series of new tests are conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the square root scale, and these results are discussed in some detail as they reveal many insights. The final section of the paper raises considerations for creating Market Basket Measure (MBM) thresholds for different types of families, such as unattached individuals and those including seniors or persons with disabilities.

The paper also provides an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to share feedback and comments in measuring poverty by different family characteristics in Canada.

Description: This discussion paper describes the proposed methodology for a Northern Market Basket Measure (MBM-N) for Nunavut, as well as identifies research which could be conducted in preparation for the 2023 review. The paper presents initial MBM-N thresholds and provides preliminary poverty estimates for reference years 2018 to 2021. A review period will follow the release of this paper, during which time Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada will welcome feedback from interested parties and work with experts, stakeholders, indigenous organizations, federal, provincial and territorial officials to validate the results.

Description: This paper provides a brief overview of the Market Basket Measure (MBM) and past comprehensive reviews. It then outlines the objectives, guiding principles, anticipated engagement activities and proposed timelines for the third comprehensive review of the MBM.

Description:

This discussion paper introduces three income inequality indicators and presents estimates obtained by applying these indicators to the Canadian Income Survey (CIS) data using the 2018-base MBM methodology. It provides the opportunity to gage the interest of including these three indicators into the current suite of income inequality indicators to facilitate the analysis of existing disparities and obstacles to income equality.

Description:

This discussion paper describes the proposed methodology for a Northern Market Basket Measure (MBM-N) for Yukon and the Northwest Territories, as well as identifies research which could be conducted in preparation for the 2023 review. The paper presents initial MBM-N thresholds and provides preliminary poverty estimates for reference years 2018 and 2019. A review period will follow the release of this paper, during which time Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada will welcome feedback from interested parties and work with experts, stakeholders, indigenous organizations, federal, provincial and territorial officials to validate the results.

Description:

This report describes the proposed changes to be made to the Market Basket Measure (MBM) as part of the 2018-base, as well as identifying research to be conducted in preparation for the 2023 review. The paper will describe the 2018-base thresholds and compare these to the 2008-base thresholds. Release of this report will be followed by a review period during which Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will work with experts, stakeholders, and federal, provincial and territorial officials to validate the results.