Data Services

The SHS files are available for use within the constraints of the DLI license to UNB Libraries authorized users.

The public-use microdata file for the Survey of Household Spending provides detailed information on household expenditures, dwelling characteristics, and ownership of household equipment such as appliances, communications and entertainment equipment, and vehicles.

Expenditure categories include: shelter expenses, furnishings and equipment, cost of running the home, communications, child care, food, alcohol and tobacco products, clothing, gifts, medical and health care, transportation and travel, recreation, reading materials, education, taxes, insurance payments and pension contributions.

Dwelling characteristics include: type of dwelling, repairs needed (major, minor, none), tenure, year of move, period of construction, number of rooms, number of bathrooms, principal heating equipment and fuel, age of principal heating equipment, principal heating fuel for hot water, and principal cooking fuel.

Household equipment includes: washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, telephones, cellular phones, compact disc players, cablevision, video cassette recorders, computers, modems, internet use from home, televisions, and vehicles. Characteristics of the household, reference person, and spouse of reference person are also provided.

The 2000 Survey of Household Spending was carried out in private households in Canada’s ten provinces. Data for the northern territories were not collected in 2000. In order to reduce response burden for northern households, it is planned to conduct the SHS only every second year, starting in 2001.

NOTE: Survey data for consumer spending prior to 1997 were collected by the Survey of Consumer Finance and the Household Facilities and Equipment Survey.