The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M) is a microsimulation tool specifically designed for analyzing the tax and transfer system in Canada. It is a complex multidisciplinary analytical tool which, while easily used, requires significant experience to master. Statistics Canada is committed to working with licensees of the SPSD/M in order to help them get the maximum benefit from the model and to do so in a flexible way that is most beneficial to individual client's research and personnel needs. The SPSD/M training will assist those interested in analyzing financial interactions of federal/provincial governments and individuals in Canada. To this end we have two training options to help develop the knowledge and skills to effectively employ the model and provide advice on how to best apply the SPSD/M to approach your policy research questions.
Target participants
Individuals who are interested in using microsimulation to analyze Canadian tax and transfer policies. Participants should have some understanding of the Canadian tax and transfer system.
This tool is specifically designed for analyzing the tax and transfer policies in Canada and can't be used to analyze policies for other countries. Please contact us directly if you have questions.
Training seminars
These courses are offered in English and French twice per year. A minimum number of participants is required to hold a course (courses will be cancelled if there is not enough registrations less than 10 working days prior to the date of the course). This training can also be given at a client's site if suitable facilities are available.
To register, simply send an e-mail message to spsdm@statcan.gc.ca
(Please note that, generally, our seminars are offered in the spring and fall of each year.)
Course descriptions
The next scheduled courses
SPSD/M Black Box Training for Beginners
Course description Black Box training course (next scheduled course in English)
Language:
English
Dates:
Course duration is 4 days: May 12 2026 (10:30pm-4:30pm), May 14 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm), May 19 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm), May 21 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm). Eastern Time.
Location:
MS Teams
Course cost:
$800.00 + HST
SPSD/M Black Box Training for Beginners
Course description Black Box training course (next scheduled course in English)
Language:
English
Dates:
Course duration is 4 days: September 15 2026 (10:30pm-4:30pm), September 17 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm), September 22 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm), September 24 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm). Eastern Time.
Location:
MS Teams
Course cost:
$800.00 + HST
SPSD/M Black Box Training Intermediate
Course description Black Box training course (next scheduled course in English)
Language:
English
Dates:
Course duration is 4 days: April 21 2026 (10:30am -4:30pm), April 23 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm), April 28 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm), April 30 2026 (10:30am-4:30pm). Eastern Time.
Location:
MS Teams
Course cost:
$800.00 + HST
Prerequisites:
Persons planning on attending the seminar should have taken the Beginners Black Box Training seminar or have adequate experience using the SPSD/M in Black box mode. They should know how to change parameters, run simulations, create new user variables and custom tables at various family levels.
SPSD/M Black Box Training for Beginners
Course description for Black Box Training
Language:
French
Dates:
TBD
Location:
MS Teams
Course cost:
$800.00 + HST
SPSD/M Glass Box Training
Course description for Glass Box Training
Language:
English
Dates:
Course duration is 8 days: Every Tuesday and Thursday, November 17 2026 until December 10 2026. 1pm-4:30pm Eastern time.
Location:
MS Teams
Course cost:
$1600 + HST
Prerequisites:
Persons planning on attending this seminar should have already taken either the Intermediate Black Box Training seminar or have extensive experience using the SPSD/M in Black box mode. They should know how to create output microdata, perform debugging by creating new complex user variables and custom tables at various family levels.
SPSD/M Glass Box Training
Course description for Glass Box Training
Language:
French
Dates:
TBD
Location:
MS Teams
Course cost:
$1600 + HST
Prerequisites:
Persons planning on attending this seminar should have already taken either the Intermediate Black Box Training seminar or have extensive experience using the SPSD/M in Black box mode. They should know how to create output microdata, perform debugging by creating new complex user variables and custom tables at various family levels
In-house training
If an organization or individual has either a special project they wish to use the model for, or a specific advanced aspect of model use they wish to master (i.e. stochastic imputation) arrangements can be made for one-on-one training. In most of these cases an analyst works with our microsimulation team in Ottawa. The access to a group of microsimulation and quantitative policy analysis oriented professionals is an added benefit of this type of training. It is also possible for a Statistics Canada microsimulation analyst to visit a client's site.