The Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) was established in August 1995 to undertake research in the area of living standards.

The two main objectives of CSLS are to:

• Contribute to a better understanding of trends in living standards and factors determining trends through research; and
• Contribute to public debate on living standards by developing and advocating specific policies through expert consensus.

• In the long run, productivity growth is the key to improved living standards;
• In the short to medium term elimination of any output gap is the most effective way to raise living standards;
• The equitable sharing of productivity gains among all groups in society is an essential element of the economic growth process;
• Increased cooperation among the various groups which make up our society can contribute significantly to better living standards; and
• Reliable data are crucial to the monitoring and analysis of living standards and to the development of effective policies to increase living standards.

The activities of the Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) are financed on a project basis by a diverse group of funders. Since 1995, the following organizations have provided financial support through contracts or grants.

Federal Government Departments and Agencies
• Industry Canada
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
• Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology
• Statistics Canada
• Finance Canada
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• Natural Resources Canada
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• Health Canada
• National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Treasury Board
• Office of the Chief Actuary
• Telecommunications Policy Review Panel

  Provincial Government Departments

• Alberta Department of Economic Development
• Ontario Ministry of Finance
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation

  Think Tanks

• Institute for Research in Public Policy
• Caledon Institute
• Economic Policy Institute
• Brookings Institution
• Conference Board of Canada

  Foundations

• Ford Foundation
• Rockefeller Foundation
• Laidlaw Foundation
• Donner Foundation
• Bertelsman Foundation
• Atkinson Charitable Foundation

  International Organizations

• International Labour Organization
• OECD
• Asian Productivity Organization
• Commission for Labor Cooperation

  Business and Professional Organizations

• Forest Products Association of Canada
• Business Council on National Issues (now Canadian Council of Corporate Executives)
• Insurance Bureau of Canada
• Canadian Medical Association
• Information Technology Association of Canada

  Labour Unions and Federations

• Canadian Labour Congress

  Bipartite Organizations

• Canadian Labour Force Development Board
• Construction Sector Council

The CSLS also receives revenues through a publication subscription program to which about 40 organizations subscribe.

The CSLS office is located on the corner of Laurier Avenue and Metcalfe Street in downtown Ottawa.