Research publications

The Library of Parliament’s research publications provide non-partisan, reliable and timely information and analysis on current and emerging issues, legislation and major public policy topics.

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HillNotes

Quick reads on topics of interest to parliamentarians

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HillStudies

In-depth reads on topics of interest to parliamentarians (formerly Background papers and In briefs)

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Legislative summaries

Concise analyses of certain bills before Parliament

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Trade and investment profiles

Fact sheets on Canada’s trade and investment relationship with selected countries and regions

Archived research publications are available in our catalogue.

  1. Canada's Retirement Income System

    HillStudies
    2019-40-e.pdf (653.82 KB)
    The purpose of Canada’s retirement income system is twofold: to alleviate poverty among seniors and to help seniors who are better off to avoid significant declines in living standards when they retire. This HillStudy outlines the different components of the system, who they target, how much they cost and how they are financed. Canada's retirement income system is typically described as having three pillars. The first pillar provides benefits based on age and years of residence in Canada. It includes the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), the Allowance and the Age Credit. The second pillar consists of mandatory earnings-related programs: the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and, in Quebec, the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP). The third pillar is composed of workplace registered pension plans (RPPS) and private savings (RRSPs) and Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs).
    Income security
    Pensions
    Poverty
    Savings
    Seniors

  2. Poverty Reduction Efforts in Canada

    HillNote
    For the Government of Canada, poverty is broadly defined as “the condition of a person who is deprived of the resources, means, choices and power necessary to acquire and maintain a basic level of living standards and to facilitate integration and participation in society.” In 2018, the federal government launched a poverty reduction strategy, aiming to halve the national poverty rate by 2030, relative to its 2015 level. This HillNote summarizes the federal role in poverty reduction, outlines the main features of Canada’s poverty reduction strategy and analyzes the evolution of poverty rates in Canada since 2002.
    Government programs
    Income security
    Poverty
    Social assistance