Reference resources

Description: This reference guide provides information to help users effectively use and interpret family, household and marital status data from the 2021 Census. This guide contains definitions and explanations of concepts, questions, classifications, data quality and comparability with other sources for this topic.

Description: This video is designed to give you a basic understanding of the demographic variable "marital status" and how this variable is created and used. The concepts legal marital status, common-law status and de-facto marital status, are explained to allow you to better understand, analyze and build census data tables using the marital status variable.

Description: The objective of this video is to explain the different types of families i.e. census families and economic families. It presents the concepts and variables related to families such as household type, family structure and the living arrangements of individuals. Family-related characteristics and concepts can apply to families, individuals (those in families or not) or households.

Description: This fact sheet provides a concise description of the context and definitions related to a new concept, the gender diversity status of couples. Data and analysis on gender diversity status of couples will be available in the July 13, 2022 census release as part of the theme of families, households and marital status.

Description:

This product presents 2016 Census highlights on core housing need. Tables and a figure feature distributions, rates and multiple dimensions of core housing need from current and previous censuses for various levels of geography. A short explanation of the indicator and references to other resources as well as downloadable materials are also provided.

Description:

This guide focuses on the following topic: Family variables. Provides information that enables users to effectively use, apply and interpret data from the 2016 Census. Each guide contains definitions and explanations on census concepts, talks about changes made to the 2016 Census, data quality and historical comparability, as well as comparison with other data sources. Additional information will be included for specific variables to help general users better understand the concepts and questions used in the census.

Description:

The Families, households and marital status Release and concepts overview provides an overview of the concepts, definitions and key measures used in the 2016 Census of Population Families, households and marital status release, as well as the products which will be available on release day and later.

Description:

The National Household Survey (NHS) Dictionary is a reference document which contains detailed definitions of concepts, universes, variables, and geographic terms used in the NHS. By referring to the NHS Dictionary, both beginner and intermediate data users will gain a better understanding of the data.

Description:

This guide focuses on the following topic: Family variables. Provides information that enables users to effectively use, apply and interpret data from the 2011 Census. Each guide contains definitions and explanations on census concepts, talks about changes made to the 2011 Census, data quality and historical comparability, as well as comparison with other data sources. Additional information will be included for specific variables to help general users better understand the concepts and questions used in the census.

Description:

This report highlights the latest developments and rationale behind recent cycles of the General Social Survey (GSS). Starting with an overview of the GSS mandate and historic cycle topics, we then focus on two recent cycles related to families in Canada: Family Transitions (2006) and Family, Social Support and Retirement (2007). Finally, we give a summary of what is to come in the 2008 GSS on Social Networks, and describe a special project to mark 'Twenty Years of GSS'.

The survey collects data over a twelve month period from the population living in private households in the 10 provinces. For all cycles except Cycles 16 and 21, the population aged 15 and older has been sampled. Cycles 16 and 21 sampled persons aged 45 and older.

Cycle 20 (GSS 2006) is the fourth cycle of the GSS to collect data on families (the first three cycles on the family were in 1990, 1995 and 2001). Cycle 20 covers much the same content as previous cycles on families with some sections revised and expanded. The data enable analysts to measure conjugal and fertility history (chronology of marriages, common-law unions, and children), family origins, children's home leaving, fertility intentions, child custody as well as work history and other socioeconomic characteristics. Questions on financial support agreements or arrangements (for children and the ex-spouse or ex-partner) for separated and divorced families have been modified. Also, sections on social networks, well-being and housing characteristics have been added.

Description: This reference guide provides information to help users effectively use and interpret family, household and marital status data from the 2021 Census. This guide contains definitions and explanations of concepts, questions, classifications, data quality and comparability with other sources for this topic.

Description: This video is designed to give you a basic understanding of the demographic variable "marital status" and how this variable is created and used. The concepts legal marital status, common-law status and de-facto marital status, are explained to allow you to better understand, analyze and build census data tables using the marital status variable.

Description: The objective of this video is to explain the different types of families i.e. census families and economic families. It presents the concepts and variables related to families such as household type, family structure and the living arrangements of individuals. Family-related characteristics and concepts can apply to families, individuals (those in families or not) or households.

Description: This fact sheet provides a concise description of the context and definitions related to a new concept, the gender diversity status of couples. Data and analysis on gender diversity status of couples will be available in the July 13, 2022 census release as part of the theme of families, households and marital status.

Description:

This product presents 2016 Census highlights on core housing need. Tables and a figure feature distributions, rates and multiple dimensions of core housing need from current and previous censuses for various levels of geography. A short explanation of the indicator and references to other resources as well as downloadable materials are also provided.

Description:

This guide focuses on the following topic: Family variables. Provides information that enables users to effectively use, apply and interpret data from the 2016 Census. Each guide contains definitions and explanations on census concepts, talks about changes made to the 2016 Census, data quality and historical comparability, as well as comparison with other data sources. Additional information will be included for specific variables to help general users better understand the concepts and questions used in the census.

Description:

The Families, households and marital status Release and concepts overview provides an overview of the concepts, definitions and key measures used in the 2016 Census of Population Families, households and marital status release, as well as the products which will be available on release day and later.

Description:

The National Household Survey (NHS) Dictionary is a reference document which contains detailed definitions of concepts, universes, variables, and geographic terms used in the NHS. By referring to the NHS Dictionary, both beginner and intermediate data users will gain a better understanding of the data.

Description:

This guide focuses on the following topic: Family variables. Provides information that enables users to effectively use, apply and interpret data from the 2011 Census. Each guide contains definitions and explanations on census concepts, talks about changes made to the 2011 Census, data quality and historical comparability, as well as comparison with other data sources. Additional information will be included for specific variables to help general users better understand the concepts and questions used in the census.

Description:

This report highlights the latest developments and rationale behind recent cycles of the General Social Survey (GSS). Starting with an overview of the GSS mandate and historic cycle topics, we then focus on two recent cycles related to families in Canada: Family Transitions (2006) and Family, Social Support and Retirement (2007). Finally, we give a summary of what is to come in the 2008 GSS on Social Networks, and describe a special project to mark 'Twenty Years of GSS'.

The survey collects data over a twelve month period from the population living in private households in the 10 provinces. For all cycles except Cycles 16 and 21, the population aged 15 and older has been sampled. Cycles 16 and 21 sampled persons aged 45 and older.

Cycle 20 (GSS 2006) is the fourth cycle of the GSS to collect data on families (the first three cycles on the family were in 1990, 1995 and 2001). Cycle 20 covers much the same content as previous cycles on families with some sections revised and expanded. The data enable analysts to measure conjugal and fertility history (chronology of marriages, common-law unions, and children), family origins, children's home leaving, fertility intentions, child custody as well as work history and other socioeconomic characteristics. Questions on financial support agreements or arrangements (for children and the ex-spouse or ex-partner) for separated and divorced families have been modified. Also, sections on social networks, well-being and housing characteristics have been added.