The Centre for Housing and Income Statistics (CHIS) is merging key administrative income data programs into one redesigned program – T1 Family File Plus (T1FF+). T1FF+ will fully replace the T1 Family File (T1FF) and the Administrative Personal Income Masterfile (APIM). The Longitudinal Administrative Databank (LAD), currently based on the T1FF, will become a derived product of T1FF+.

Benefits of the redesign

The redesigned T1FF+ will feature multiple improvements over the programs it is replacing. It will provide more timely family data and low-level geography data. It will improve population coverage compared to APIM (dependents) and T1FF data (non-filers with fiscal activity). Furthermore, it will increase the precision of low-level geography down to the dissemination area (DA) level.

Once complete, T1FF+ users will have access to the same core data previously provided by T1FF, APIM and LAD, at similar or improved levels of quality. Microdata users will have the tools to restrict data to T1FF, APIM, and LAD populations to ensure the historical comparability of estimates over time.

Release schedule changes

The complexity of the redesign will delay the release of the T1FF data for the 2024 reference year. The data will be delayed by six to eight months, from Spring 2026 to Winter 2027. Census family and small area geography data will be available on the T1FF+ in early 2027 for both the 2024 and 2025 data. The release of the 2023 reference year data will continue as planned on July 18, 2025.

The redesign will also delay the release of the LAD data for the 2024 reference year by four to six months, until 2027.

APIM will keep its original publication dates during the redesign. Various improvements to the personal income data are expected throughout the redesign.

Full implementation timeline

The redesign is expected to be fully implemented early in 2027.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact infostats@statcan.gc.ca.