The primary source of data used in post index construction are periodic retail-price and cost-of-living surveys conducted at foreign locations by the foreign service personnel stationed there. Statistics Canada analyses this survey data. In addition to a variety of price information gathered from retail outlets patronized by Canadian personnel at the post, data are also obtained regarding their spending patterns, along with information on the availability of any special local purchasing facilities, and the extent to which staff make direct importation of consumer goods from other countries. The general aim is for full-scale surveys to be carried out at about three-year intervals. However, specific studies may be undertaken more or less frequently than this, depending on the volatility of retail price conditions in each particular country, the instability of exchange rates and the extent to which close monitoring of changes in the local retail price situation being faced by Canadian personnel can be achieved through reference to other statistical indicators.

Custodian: Statistics Canada