The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M)

The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M) is a micro computer-based product designed to assist those interested in analyzing the financial interactions of governments and individuals in Canada. It can help one to assess the cost implications or income redistributive effects of changes in the personal taxation and cash transfer system. The SPSD/M is a non-confidential, statistically representative database of individuals in their family context, with enough information on each individual to compute taxes paid to and cash transfers received from government. The SPSM is a static accounting model which processes each individual and family on the SPSD/M, calculates taxes and transfers using legislated or proposed programs and algorithms, and reports on the results. It gives the user a high degree of control over the inputs and outputs to the model and can allow the user to modify existing tax/transfer programs or test proposals for entirely new programs. The model can be run using a visual interface and it comes with full documentation.

SPSD/M Resources

Training

Information on the contents, dates, and costs of upcoming SPSD/M courses.

Overview ( HTML | PDF )

An overview of the SPSD/M Database and Model product.

Documentation

This Windows help file documents version 19.0 of the SPSD/M. It contains a full listing of all variables and parameters available. The file is a self-extracting .zip file which, when executed, will expand into two files, including spsme.hlp which allows you to access the SPSD/M help file on your computer.

Download SPSD/M Documentation Version 19.0 (.exe file)

Contact us

For information on the SPSD/M or installing these files please email spsdm@statcan.gc.ca or call our help line at (613) 951-3774