Survey of Household Spending, 2003 [Canada]

Data were collected via personal interviews conducted in January, February and March 2004 using a paper questionnaire. Information was gathered about the spending habits, dwelling characteristics and household equipment of Canadian households during 2003. The survey covered private households in the 10 provinces and three territories. (In order to reduce response burden for northern households, the SHS is conducted in the north only every second year, starting in 2001.) The Survey of Household Spending (first conducted for the 1997 reference year) includes most of the content from the former Family Expenditure Survey and the Household Facilities and Equipment Survey. Detailed information was collected about expenditures for consumer goods and services, changes in assets, mortgages and other loans, and annual income. This information was collected for the calendar year 2003 (the survey reference year). Information was also collected about dwelling characteristics (e.g., type and age of heating equipment) and household equipment (e.g., appliances, communications equipment, and vehicles). This type of information was collected as of December 31st of the reference year.