(Update) Social Policy Simulation Database
Social Policy Simulation Database and Model
Version 22.1
The latest update of this model:
Text – Selected Related information Previous release PDF (113 KB)
Released: 2016-01-27
The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M), version 22.1, which is based on 2010 microdata, is now available. The most recent SPSD/M can be used to study the impact of changes to federal and provincial tax and benefit programs on families and governments from 1997 to 2021.
The SPSD/M is a tool designed to analyze the financial interactions of governments and individuals/families in Canada. It allows analysts to estimate the income redistributive effects or cost implications of changes in the personal taxation (including the goods and services tax and other commodity taxes) and cash transfer systems. The SPSD/M helps analysts examine the potential impacts of changes in taxes, earnings, demographic trends, and a wide range of other factors.
Given specified assumptions, the SPSD/M allows analysts to answer “what-if” types of questions. What if there were changes to the taxes Canadians paid or transfers they received—who would gain and who would lose? Would single parent households in a particular province be better off? By how much? How much extra money would federal or provincial governments pay out or collect?
The SPSD/M is composed of both a database (SPSD) and a model (SPSM). The SPSD is a statistically-representative database of individuals in their family context with enough information on each individual to compute taxes paid to and cash transfers received from federal and provincial governments. It is created by statistically combining data from survey and administrative sources.
The SPSM is a static accounting model which processes each individual and family on the SPSD, calculates transfers and taxes (including income, payroll, and commodity taxes) using legislated or proposed programs and algorithms, and reports on the results. This microsimulation model can be run using a visual interface and extensive documentation on both SPSD and SPSM is included.
Products
The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model, version 22.1 (Catalogue number89F0002X), is available on CD-ROM or via electronic file transfer.
Contact information
For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca).
To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Chantal Hicks (613-951-5311; chantal.hicks@canada.ca), Social Analysis and Modelling Division.
