Appendix A Data source

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Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID)

SLID is a household survey that uses computer-aided telephone interviews to collect information on income, labour, education and, since 2002, housing. Between January and March, interviewers collect information from the previous calendar year regarding respondents' labour experiences and income, educational activity, and family relationships. Demographic characteristics of family and household members, and information about their dwellings and shelter costs represent a snapshot as of the end of each calendar year The response rate averaged 77.3% during the three-year study period covered in this report. SLID covers all individuals in Canada, excluding residents of the three territories, residents of institutions and persons living on Indian reserves or in military barracks, and those who are homeless. Overall, these exclusions amount to less than three percent of the population.

The samples for SLID are selected from the monthly Labour Force Survey (LFS) and thus share the latter's sample design. The LFS sample is drawn from an area frame and is based on a stratified, multi-stage design that uses probability sampling. The total LFS sample is composed of six independent samples, called rotation groups, because each month one sixth of the sample (or one rotation group) is replaced. The SLID sample is composed of two panels. Each panel consists of two LFS rotation groups - roughly 17,000 households. A panel is surveyed for a period of six consecutive years. A new panel is introduced every three years, so two panels always overlap.

Analysts can use SLID data to produce both cross-sectional and longitudinal estimates. Cross-sectional estimates provide a snapshot of the situation in a given year. Longitudinal estimates are based on a longer period of up to six years although housing data have not yet been collected for the entire period. The longitudinal estimates in this report are based on data from two panels whose results were analyzed as a whole: the last three years of panel 3 and the first three years of panel 4.

Comparability with census data

Table 18 shows the percentage of households spending 30% or more of their total household income on shelter. Of these cross-sectional estimates, those for 2001 are based on the Census and those for 2002-2004 are based on SLID. Generally, the SLID and Census estimates correspond well.