His approach therefore focuses on estimating the cost of basic shelter (low-cost apartments), clothing and dietary needs (enough calories to avoid hunger).[2] His approach is “absolute” in the sense that he looks at what is “absolutely” necessary for basic well–being, but it nevertheless retains an element of relativity in that it adjusts for local and historical context by planning a menu in accordance with Canadian eating habits[3] and including items such as basic telephone service.[4] In his view, a family is poor if its before-tax income is insufficient to pay for his basket of “basic needs” items.
Ainsi, son approche met l’accent sur le coût des biens essentiels, soit le logement (appartements à loyer modéré), les vêtements et l’alimentation (suffisamment de calories pour ne pas souffrir de la faim).[2] Son approche est « absolue » en ce sens qu’il examine ce qui est « absolument » nécessaire pour assurer le bien-être de base mais conserve néanmoins un élément de relativité du fait qu’elle s’adapte au contexte local et historique, notamment la planification d’un menu suivant les habitudes
