Classification of income sources

1 - Market income

This category refers to the sum of employment income (wages, salaries and commissions, net self-employment income from farm or non-farm unincorporated business and/or professional practice), investment income, private retirement income (retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities, including those from registered retirement savings plans [RRSPs] and registered retirement income funds [RRIFs]) and other income from market sources during the reference period. It is equivalent to total income minus government transfers. It is also referred to as income before transfers and taxes.

2 - Government transfers

This category refers to all cash benefits received from federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments during the reference period. It includes:

• Old Age Security pension, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance and Allowance for the Survivor
• retirement, disability and survivor benefits from Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan
• benefits from Employment Insurance and Quebec Parental Insurance Plan
• child benefits from federal and provincial programs
• other income from government sources
• social assistance benefits
• workers' compensation benefits
• Working Income Tax Benefit
• Goods and Services Tax credits and Harmonized Sales Tax credits