Finance committee  I think it's fair to say that the market basket measure provides a view into what's required for a modest but basic standard of living in Canada. To date, there has not been an official poverty line for Canada, and in the poverty reduction strategy and in the legislation the offi

Finance committee  The measures that we have, the three main measures of income—the LIM which is a relative measure, the LICO, which is a slightly different type of measure related to the relative affordability of housing, shelter, and one additional measure—provide a relative view into what Canadi

Finance committee  Yes. The strategy includes a graph of the market basket measure and the cost of living for the basket in the regions across Canada. We see in rural Quebec that this basket is about $32,000 for a family of four. In Alberta communities of under 30,000 people, that same basket costs

Finance committee  Yes, the most recent Canadian income survey results were released a few months ago, and those results indicated that the poverty rate in Canada had fallen to 9.5%, which is the lowest.

Finance committee  That provision is there to allow flexibility in the future. The strategy itself includes a dashboard of indicators. We have the market basket measure of the official poverty line as sort of the headline or the first among equals of the indicators. There are 12 other indicators th

Finance committee  If I may, I'd like to pull out my copy of the strategy, which we'd be pleased to provide to the committee. Page 14 of the English version of the strategy specifies the full list of indicators. First there's the market basket measure, and then there are four indicators for each of

Finance committee  Yes, it is. Statistics Canada has robust publications on the contents of the basket. It is my understanding that there is an intention to release a “what we heard” report in the coming months that will summarize the consultation and provide additional information.

Finance committee  The contents of the basket are a joint decision between Statistics Canada and ESDC depending on the nature of the item that's being determined.

Finance committee  There is very close consultation. I work very closely with my counterpart. We have an ADM data committee that meets.

Finance committee  I will confirm this with the committee but my understanding is that it has been with officials to date. With the MBM becoming the official poverty line, it is an opportunity to reconsider the sign-off and the authority for the basket itself. Again, the statistical element remains

Finance committee  I think the basket evolves with time. For example, previously there was a measure in the basket related to videotape rentals. That is likely no longer a cost or an appropriate thing to include in the basket. It may be that a phone package with data and cellular is an appropriate

Finance committee  I don't have that with me today, but I could certainly provide it to the committee. The market basket measure is calculated by Statistics Canada.

Finance committee  There is a review under way at this point in time. We are expecting that the basket will be updated for the release of the Canadian income survey next year.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  Statistics Canada is responsible for the statistical element of the basket and Employment and Social Development Canada is responsible for the policy content of the basket.