Thank you for the question.
Mr. Chair, I would note at the outset that the government has made a very strong commitment to Statistics Canada to ensure that it is an independent statistical agency. It will continue to provide Canadians with the objective statistics that are required to help inform decisions by parliamentarians, businesses, unions and individual Canadians.
The act proposes that Statistics Canada will launch the review of the MBM on a regular basis to ensure the MBM reflects the up-to-date cost of a basket of goods and services. Statistics Canada, as noted, is consulting widely and will ensure that a range of views are taken into consideration. That feedback will be used by Statistics Canada in determining the basket and what Canadians need and what we would define as a modest and basic standard of living. The MBM is a long-standing measure; it's been around since 2000. It was rebased in 2008, so this is a process that has occurred previously. As was the case in 2008, ESDC officials and Statistics Canada will work together to ensure that the contents of the basket are sufficient to reflect a modest and basic standard of living. That will be informed by broad consultations with Canadians and experts and PTs, provinces and territories. Statistics Canada will be responsible for the statistical methodology.
For the final decision I can tell you that our minister will be kept informed, as was the case for the previous review. ESDC officials will work with Statistics Canada in a transparent fashion with all of our work informed by broad consultation with Canadians, experts and PTs.