In an attempt to accurately measure low income and poverty, Statistics Canada has made an online survey available to gather input from all of us.

Okotoks Community Wellness Manager Debbie Posey, says the more people who take the survey helps with determining qualification guidelines for social funding.

"I hope everyone will participate in this, it is a bit of a change in how we measure low income and poverty. I don't think there's any measure that is 100 per cent accurate," she said.

Posey says the "Market Basket Measure" targets what people are spending on basic needs to help determine income guidelines for benefits and funding.

"The Market Basket Measure tends to tell us a better picture in terms of what people are spending on a typical basket of goods, housing and food and things like that," she said.

The survey runs until Thursday, January 31.

Participation in the survey will support Statistics Canada's ability to accurately measure low income and poverty levels.

More information and a link to the survey can be found at https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/consultation/mbm

 

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