|
Calculating the cost of living
Stats Canada makes first visit to Rankin Inlet by Jennifer Pritchett
RANKIN INLET (Mar 04/98) - Statistics Canada employees who were in Rankin Inlet recently are part of a groundbreaking study that should provide data on the cost of living in Northern communities.
The survey of household spending is designed to assess the expenditures of a household in a year, data used to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the inflation figure.
"It will look at the kinds of expenditures people incur in the North," said Peter Palfenier, communications manager for Statistics Canada.
Started nationally 15 years ago, the survey had only been done in Yellowknife until this year, when Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Inuvik and Fort Simpson were included to find out what people are buying and how much they're spending in more remote communities.
"Because we've expanded outside of Yellowknife, it enables us to know adequate costs for living in the communities," he added.
Palfenier also said the survey results show how people change their spending habits over time, linking it to the inflation figure released monthly by Stats Canada.
"As what you spend money on changes, so does the basket of things we measure every month (for CPI)," he said.
The data collected in the NWT throughout February and March will enable them to provide data on the price of living, information that can be used by employers and those people negotiating contracts for work in the North.
Palfenier said the data will be used in two main ways.
"It can affect the way products are measured every month (for inflation figures) and it provides data for those people looking for additional financial support," he said.
Already close to 80 per cent complete in the NWT, the survey of household spending results are expected to be available in December. |