Recent years have seen rising concerns about housing affordability in Canada, spurring policy debates at the federal, provincial and municipal level. In this context, academic researchers have increasingly sought out reliable housing data. The presentation will introduce three sources of housing data at Statistics Canada – The Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP), the Canadian Housing Survey (CHS) and the Census of Population. Presenters will provide an overview of the types of data available from each source and provide examples of how they can be used by scholars and students.  

The CHSP, for its part, provides comprehensive information on residential properties and their owners. It provides granular information on the properties owned and the owners’ characteristics. The CHS, meanwhile, collects information about housing needs and experiences from a sample of Canadian households. In the survey, information is collected on core housing need, dwelling and neighbourhood satisfaction, housing moves, and other aspects of well-being related to housing. Lastly, the Census of Population provides a longer time-series of local and national information on dwellings and people by their demographic, social and economic characteristics.  

These three sources of housing data complement each other and offer comprehensive information on housing in Canada. By using this data, researchers can gain insights into housing trends and the needs and preferences of Canadian residents. 

Josh Gordon is a Senior Analyst with the Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP). In 2023, Josh published two articles for the CHSP, focused on the profile and role of real estate investors. Before joining Statistics Canada, Josh was an assistant professor at the School of Public Policy at Simon Fraser University. His academic research focused on the Canadian housing market and the politics of labor market policy. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 2012.  

Jeff Randle began his career at Statistics Canada as a student in the summer of 2006. After completing an undergraduate degree in economics, he continued in the Income Statistics Division as an analyst working on household surveys focusing on income and socioeconomic well-being. In 2014, he joined the housing subject matter unit responsible for the housing content and analysis on the Census of Population and homelessness analytical and data development projects. Jeff now manages the Housing Need Projects section responsible for the Canadian Housing Survey, National Social and Affordable Housing Database, National Housing Strategy program data integration projects, and Homelessness Projects and Partnerships. 

David Heisel is a housing analyst with the Census of Population. David is involved in the data processing, development and publication of the housing content in the Census products. He has a Bachelor of Mathematics from Carelton University. 

This event is part of Love Data Week 2024, co-sponsored by SFU, UBC, UNBC, and UVic. Registration is open to everyone.

If you have questions, concerns, or accessibility needs please email research.commons@ubc.ca.