Survey of Household Spending, 2001 [Canada]

This public-use microdata file presents data from the 2001 Survey of Household Spending (SHS) conducted in January through March 2002. Information about the spending habits, dwelling characteristics and household equipment of Canadian households during 2001 was obtained by asking people in the ten provinces and the three territories to recall their expenditures for the previous calendar year (spending habits) or as of December 31 (dwelling characteristics and household equipment). Conducted since 1997, the Survey of Household Spending integrates most of the content found in the Family Expenditure Survey and the Household Facilities and Equipment Survey. Many data from these two surveys are comparable to the Survey of Household Spending data. However, some differences related to methodology, to data quality and to definitions must be considered before comparing these data. See User Guide Section 1.1.4., for further information. New for 2001 For 2001 only, extra questions were included in the survey so that data from the SHS could be used in the weighting of the Consumer Price Index. This change may affect historical comparisons for a few variables. See User Guide section 4.2.4., Comparability Over Time. There were also new questions added to the 2001 SHS. The expenditure questions covered yarn and thread, regular and other leasing fees for vehicles, and cable and satellite services. Questions were also added about the presence in the home of a satellite dish, DVD player or CD writer, and the type of Internet connection.