Official measures of poverty are calculated using the Market Basket Measure (MBM). The MBM is a measure of low income, based on the cost of a basket of goods and services that individuals and families require to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living. Individuals and families living across the country who cannot afford the cost of this basket of goods and services are considered to be living below Canada's Official Poverty Line. The proposed 2023-base MBM methodology is currently undergoing its third comprehensive review.

The presentation begins by providing a brief explanation on how poverty is measured in Canada and presents an overview of the comprehensive review process. The presentation then outlines the proposed changes and updates for the 2023-base MBM methodology, presents preliminary 2023-base thresholds and poverty rates, and compares these with the 2018-base thresholds and poverty rates. The presentation ends by describing the research topics that will be examined before the next comprehensive review and describes the next steps for the current comprehensive review.

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 1:30 to 2:30 PM EDT

About the presenters:

Madeleine Steinmetz-Wood, Statistics Canada 
Madeleine Steinmetz-Wood has worked as an Analyst at Statistics Canada, on the Market Basket Measure program, Canada’s official measure of poverty, for the past 4 years. She has a Master’s in Public Health and a PhD in Geography.

Burton Gustajtis, Statistics Canada 
Burton Gustajtis has worked at Statistics Canada for the past 19 years. Over the last eight years, he has been responsible for the Market Basket Measure (MBM) program, Canada’s official measure of poverty.