Classification of income sources

1 - Market income

Refers to the sum of employment income (wages and salaries, net farm income and net income from non-farm unincorporated business and/or professional practice), investment income, retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities (including those from RRSPs and RRIFs) and other money income. It is equivalent to total income before tax minus all government transfers and is also referred to as income before transfers and taxes.

2 - Government transfer payments

Refers to all cash benefits received from federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments during the reference period. This variable is derived by summing the amounts reported in:

• the Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor
• benefits from Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan
• benefits from Employment Insurance
• child benefits
• other income from government sources.