Rural Canada Housing Profiles, 2022
Metadata and user guide

Acknowledgments

The support of the Centre for Rural Economic Development of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada throughout this project is gratefully acknowledged.

Introduction

An understanding of rural housing is essential to the formulation of policy and projects geared to continuous improvement of the lives of rural residents and of the economy of rural and small town (RST) areas. The Rural Canada Housing Profiles (RCHP) tables aim to improve access to rural housing data in order to support rural policy formulation, evaluation, and implementation, and, more broadly, to meet the rural housing data needs of various stakeholders.

The RCHP uses several of Statistics Canada’s data holdings relating to housing. The goal of the RCHP is to provide information on key variables on housing in RST areas. This is done by bringing together information on structure type (single or multiple residential property), year of construction, building size, building permits (issued by municipalities, including number of units and value of the building), and investments in residential building construction, among other themes.

The RCHP database includes data with reference dates ranging from 2018 to 2022, depending on the data source of each RCHP table. This write-up presents the tables structure, data sources, key concepts, and compilation methodology used in the production of the RCHP. A data dictionary is also included. This release presents data with current dollar values.

1 Overview of structure and contents of RCHP tables

The RCHP 2022 contains a suite of five tables. The housing-related concepts to which the variables in each table relate vary and are a factor of the data source used. The themes of the RCHP tables, and the table identifier associated with each in Statistics Canada’s Common Output Database Repository (CODR), are:

• Table 46-10-0075-01: Residential building permits, numbers and values
• Table 46-10-0076-01: Values of investments in residential building construction
• Table 46-10-0077-01: Residential property characteristics
• Table 46-10-0078-01: Occupied private dwelling characteristics
• Table 46-10-0079-01: Private household characteristics

The variables in the tables are classified, as applicable, by:

• Various levels of geography (Canada, province/territory, RST/urban part of province/territory, census subdivision)
• Rural and small town (RST) areas and urban areas^Note 
• Type of work (e.g., new construction, renovation, etc.)
• Type of building (e.g., single, multiple, etc.)

Table A shows at a glance the structure and contents of the RCHP 2022 tables as well as other important information about them. For more information on the geographic and housing concepts used in RCHP (see section 5). For details on the variables provided in the RCHP tables, see section 8, List of variables.



2 Reference dates of RCHP tables

The reference period of this first release of the RCHP 2022 varies from 2018 to 2022. This depends on the reference dates of the data source used for each table (see section 4 for information on the RCHP 2022 data sources). Reference dates for the RCHP tables are overviewed in Table B below.



3 Coverage of RCHP tables

The geographic coverage of the RCHP tables is based on the coverage of the programs that are their data source (see section 4 for information on the RCHP 2022 data sources). An overview of the geographic coverage is found in Table C below.



4 Data sources

Four different data sources have been used to produce the RCHP, all of which are based on Statistics Canada programs. Data were obtained from the Building Permits (BPER) Program, the Investment in Building Construction Program, the Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP), and the 2021 Census of Population. The four data sources used for the RCHP are briefly described in subsections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 below.

While many published tables are available from each one of these programs on Statistics Canada’s website that are related to various aspects of housing, those tables do not explicitly contain the RST/urban dimension and aggregations which are of particular interest for rural analysis. As well, for a housing theme containing a RST/urban dimension, differences in aggregation, methodology, and structure might make it challenging to assemble information from the tables currently published by the RCHP source programs in a consistent manner for further analysis. For the RCHP tables, these publicly available data were used alongside data obtained directly from the source programs to build a set of five consistently built tables that focus on RST housing.

4.1 Building permits and Investment in building construction programs

Building permits and investment in residential building construction data used for the RCHP tables have been obtained, respectively, from Statistics Canada’s monthly Building Permits^Note  and the related monthly Investment in Building Construction^Note  programs. The permits program data are based directly on survey results, while the data of the investments program are modelled from the permits data and other sources, including data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The building permits survey covers approximately 2,400 municipalities across all provinces and territories in Canada, resulting in a coverage of 95% of the country’s population. Data used for the RCHP 2022 span the January 2018 to December 2022 iterations of the building permits and investments data.

4.2 Canadian Housing Statistics Program

The Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP)^Note  at Statistics Canada was initialized in 2017 and provides information on a wide range of topics related to housing.^Note  At its inception, the program covered only the census metropolitan areas (CMAs)^Note  of Vancouver and Toronto, but as time has progressed, the coverage has grown to 2,955 census subdivisions (CSDs) across twelve Canadian provinces and territories. Data from Quebec are not currently available in CHSP.^Note 

It is important to note that while the reference years for the CHSP data used in the RCHP 2022 are 2019 and 2021, data for a given reference year might reflect the market value and stock of properties available on the property assessment rolls of a province or territory for unalike years depending on the province or territory and the phase of its assessment cycle. Thus, each assessment agency applies its own reference dates for the creation of municipal assessment rolls and these could differ from the reference year of the CHSP tables. "Assessment value" refers to the assessed value of the property for the purpose of determining property taxes.^Note ,^Note  As assessment value reference dates differ across provinces/territories, cross-province/territory comparisons on these data would be prone to error.

4.3 2021 Census of Population

The Census of Population covers the entire Canadian population and is conducted every five years. The RCHP 2022 uses the most recent Census, the 2021 Census of Population.^Note  The Census collects information on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of Canadian residents and their lives, including on the dwellings they live in.^Note 

Depending on the variable, the RCHP uses data gathered through both the Short Form and the Long Form of the Census. The latter is given to a sample of 25% of the Canadian population.^Note 

5 Geographical and housing concepts and classifications

5.1 Geographical concepts and classifications

5.1.1 Standard Geographical Classification

The geographical classification and concepts used in the RCHP are based on Statistics Canada’s Standard Geographic Classification (SGC). The SGC contains the standard names and codes for all the geographical regions of Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions (counties, regional county municipalities) and census subdivisions (municipalities).

The SGC is updated every five years, coinciding with the year in which the Census of Population is conducted. The RCHP 2022 uses both the SGC 2021^Note  and the SGC 2016^Note , depending on the data source for the table in question. SGC 2021 has been used for the RCHP tables based on the 2021 Census data, while SGC 2016 has been used for the CHSP, building permits, and investment in building construction data. Table D below shows the SGC version currently used in each data source program.

The SGC 2021 contains 5,161 CSDs,^Note  while the SGC 2016^Note  contains 5,162 CSDs. Many other differences exist between these two versions of SGC, with 1,806 total revisions to CSDs, ranging from name changes, population changes, boundary changes, dissolution, creation, and more.^Note  Of particular interest in this project are the CSDs whose classification in the RCHP changed from RST to urban, or vice versa. This is explained further in section 5.1.4.



5.1.2 Census subdivision

A Census subdivision (CSD) is an administrative region defined along municipal and reserve boundaries by the province or territory to which the municipality belongs. CSDs are roughly analogous to communities in most cases as they are generally constructed in such a way as to contain centres of population within well-defined boundaries, although the conditions under which they are constructed vary depending on the province or territory.

5.1.3 Census metropolitan area and Census agglomeration

A census metropolitan area (CMA) or a census agglomeration (CA) is established by one or more adjoining municipalities concentrated on a population centre (known as the core).

A CMA should have total population of at least 100,000, based on data from the current Census of Population Program, of which 50% (50,000) or more must live in the core based on adjusted data from the previous Census of Population Program.

A CA is required to have a core population of at least 10,000, also based on data from the previous Census of Population Program.

If the population of the core of a CA goes down below 10,000, the CA is withdrawn from the next census. But in case of CMA, once an area grows into a CMA, it is retained as a CMA even if its total population drops below 100,000 or the population of its core go down below 50,000.^Note 

5.1.4 Classification of CSDs as Rural and small town or Urban

The source data used in the RCHP are classified geographically at the CSD level. In the RCHP, a CSD is classified as either “rural and small town (RST)” or “urban” based on whether or not it is located within a CMA or a CA. If a CSD is within a CMA or a CA, then it is classified as “urban”, and if it is outside, then it is classified as “RST”.

As multiple versions of the SGC are used in the RCHP (see section 5.1.1), the classification of some CSDs differs between tables. The 2021 SGC is used in the RCHP tables based on the 2021 Census of Population, while the 2016 SGC in the remaining RCHP tables. Specifically, 93 CSDs changed their RST/urban classification between SGC 2016 and SGC 2021, with 68 CSDs classified as RST in the 2016 version being reclassified as urban in the 2021 version, and 25 urban CSDs reclassified as RST.

5.2 Housing concepts and classifications

5.2.1 Housing concepts from the building permits and the investment in building construction programs

The descriptions below of building permit-related concepts are based primarily on the program’s documentation.^Note 

• Building permit: the final authorization to start work on a building project. It is granted by public authorities in response to an application by a principal and based on a specific building plan.^Note 
• Residential building: a residential building is one whose only or primary use is residential.
• Residential building component: One of two classifications; single or multiple.
  • Single: residential buildings containing only one dwelling unit. The following sub-categories are classified as single:
    • Single - Cottage: refers to a dwelling which is unsuitable for year-round occupancy, since the structure does not have sufficient facilities to provide comfortable accommodation throughout the year.
    • Single - Mobile home: a dwelling designed and constructed to be transported on its own chassis and capable of being moved on short notice.
    • Single - Single: a single dwelling not attached to any other dwelling or structure.
    • Single - Condominium: a single dwelling owned individually, while land and common elements are held in joint ownership with others.
    • Single - Small project: permits below $50,000 with no unit created.
  • Multiple: residential buildings containing multiple dwelling units, containing the following subclassifications:
    • Multiple - Apartment: dwelling units found in a wide range of structures such as duplexes, triplexes, row-duplexes, apartments proper and dwelling units over or at the rear of a store or other non-residential structure.
    • Multiple - Apartment condominium: an apartment owned individually, while land and common elements are held in joint ownership with others. Double: a semi-detached dwelling unit sharing a single wall with another unit.
    • Multiple - Double: one of two dwellings attached side by side (or back-to-back) to each other, but not attached to any other dwelling or structure.
    • Multiple - Double condominium: a double owned individually, while land and common elements are held in joint ownership with others.
    • Multiple - Row: one of three or more dwellings joined side by side but not having any other dwellings either above or below.
    • Multiple - Row condominium: a row house owned individually, while land and common elements are held in joint ownership with others.
    • Multiple-Small project: permits below $50,000 with no unit created.
• Type of work: The specific building construction activity a permit was taken out for, including the following categories:
  • New construction: any permit taken out for the development of all or part of a new residential building.
  • Alterations and improvements:
    • Any construction work undertaken for the purpose of improving or modifying an existing structure.
    • Permits issued for the replacement of built-in equipment (elevator, heating and plumbing system, etc.) are also included.
  • Conversions and deconversions: refers to any modification to an existing building involving the gain or loss of dwelling units (e.g., converting a basement into a standalone suite).
  • Minor work: permits below $50,000 with no unit created.
  • Other: other types of work requiring permits, including the installation of in-ground swimming pools, and garages/carports.

5.2.2 Housing concepts from the CHSP

The descriptions below of CHSP-related concepts are based primarily on the program’s documentation.^Note 

• Residential property: all land and structures intended for private occupancy, whether on a permanent or a temporary basis.
• Total living area: for properties that are being utilized for both residential and non-residential purposes, only the residential portion's value has been considered.
• Assessment value: the assessed value of the property for the purposes of determining property taxes. It is important to note that the assessed value does not necessarily represent the market value. Given that each province and territory has its own assessment cycle and reference dates of the assessment roll, it would be difficult to make meaningful comparisons of similar properties between one province or territory and another for the same reference year of the CHSP. For properties being utilized for both residential and non-residential purposes, only the residential portion's value is taken into account.

5.2.3 Housing concepts from the Census of Population

The descriptions below of concepts related to the Census of Population are based primarily on the program’s documentation.^Note 

5.2.3.1 Dwelling-related concepts

• Dwelling unit: a separate set of living quarters with a private entrance either from outside the building or from a common hall, lobby, vestibule or stairway inside the building. The entrance to the dwelling must be one that can be used without passing through the living quarters of some other person or group of persons.^Note 
• Private dwellings: a separate set of living quarters with a private entrance either from outside the building or from a common hall, lobby, vestibule or stairway inside the building. The entrance to the dwelling must be one that can be used without passing through the living quarters of some other person or group of persons.
• Bedrooms: rooms in a private dwelling designed mainly for sleeping purposes even if they are now used for other purposes, such as guest rooms and television rooms. Also included are rooms used as bedrooms now, even if they were not originally built as bedrooms, such as bedrooms in a finished basement. One-room private dwellings such as bachelor or studio apartments have zero bedrooms.
• Rooms: enclosed areas within a private dwelling which are finished and suitable for year-round living. The number of rooms in a private dwelling includes kitchens, bedrooms and finished rooms in the attic or basement. The number of rooms in a private dwelling excludes bathrooms, halls, vestibules and rooms used solely for business purposes.
• Period of construction: the period during which the building or dwelling was originally constructed. This refers to the period in which the building was completed, not the time of any later remodeling, additions or conversions.
• Value (Owner-estimated): for owner-occupied non-farm dwellings, it is the dollar amount expected by the owner if the asset were to be sold.

5.2.3.2 Household-related concepts

• Private household: a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad.
• Household size: the number of persons in a private household.
• Tenure: whether the household owns or rents their private dwelling.
  • Owner household: a private household where some member of the household owns the dwelling, even if it is still being paid for.
  • Renter household: a private household where no member of the household owns their dwelling. The dwelling is considered to be rented even if no cash rent is paid.
  • Dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band: This classification applies when the population of study includes households who live in a dwelling on an Indian reserve or settlement that has been provided to members of a First Nation or Indian band. For historical and statutory reasons, shelter occupancy on Indian reserves or settlements does not lend itself to the usual classification by standard tenure categories. Therefore, a special category, ‘dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band,’ has been created and is available as a category in this classification.
• Housing suitability: whether a private household is living in suitable accommodations according to the National Occupancy Standard (NOS); that is, whether the dwelling has enough bedrooms for the size and composition of the household. A household is deemed to be living in suitable accommodations if its dwelling has enough bedrooms, as calculated using the NOS.^Note 

6 Compilation methodology

6.1 Processing source data to produce RCHP tables

6.1.1 Aggregation from CSD to higher geographic levels

Higher-level geographic aggregates (Canada, Canada – RST/urban, province, and province – RST/urban) of variables in the RCHP were developed as the sum of CSD-level data. For example, values for Ontario – RST are the sum of values for all RST CSDs within Ontario.

For the RCHP table based on CHSP data (Table 46-10-0077-01), provincial-level values were already available from the source program. Furthermore, since the CHSP does not provide values for all provinces and territories, country-level aggregates could not be developed.

6.1.2 Compilation of building permits and investments data

Aside from the geographic aggregations outlined above, three other types of aggregation were done to simplify the RCHP permits and investments tables (Tables 46-10-0075-01 and 46-10-0077-01, respectively):

• Data were aggregated from monthly to annual (calendar year).
• Type of work categories were mapped into four groups, outlined in Table E below.
• Building types were mapped into components used in the RCHP, as outlined in Table F below.

 

6.1.3 Compilation of Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP) data

Data from the Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP) were retrieved at the CSD and provincial/territorial levels. Since data were not available for all provinces and territories of Canada, it was not possible to provide values for variables in the RCHP based on CHSP data (Table 46-10-0077-01) for the country and country – RST/urban levels, nor for provinces and territories for which data were not available in the CHSP. Aggregates at the province/territory – RST/urban level were calculated for provinces for which CHSP data were available.

Since the CHSP values are means and medians, aggregate values had to be calculated from lower-level summary statistics. Means for province/territory – RST/urban level values were computed as a weighted average of the means within relevant CSDs (i.e., the sum of values multiplied by within-CSD counts).

Housing-related variables from the 2021 Census of Population were aggregated within Statistics Canada’s G-SPEC application, a program developed for creation of tables from census microdata. A custom geography input file was developed using a RST/urban concordance file for CSDs according to the 2021 SGC. Aggregations were done at Canada and province/territory RST/urban levels by grouping relevant CSDs.

6.2 Disclosure control and confidentiality protection

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any data which would divulge information obtained under the Statistics Act^Note  that relates to any identifiable person, business or organization without the prior knowledge or the consent in writing of that person, business or organization. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

In the RCHP, data suppression has been implemented using a hierarchy-aware suppression program developed internally at Statistics Canada called G-Confid.^Note  Three styles of data suppression have been implemented:

• Random rounding: a count has been rounded randomly up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
• Quality suppression: Values have been suppressed when the data quality of those values is low.
• Confidentiality suppression: Primary and secondary suppression^Note  are applied when there is risk of releasing sensitive information.

Each of the RCHP tables required a different suppression strategy depending on the source program of its data, as outlined below.

• Permits (Table 46-10-0075-01): this table underwent data quality suppression, with CSD-level data suppressed for imputed CSDs.
• Investments (Table 46-10-0076-01): this source underwent data quality suppression, with CSD-level data suppressed for imputed CSDs. Furthermore, due to quality concerns, data for certain types of work (conversions and deconversions, alterations and improvements, and other) were suppressed at the CSD level.
• CHSP (Table 46-10-0077-01): random rounding was implemented by the CHSP program for the published table used as input for RCHP.
• Census (Tables 46-10-0078-01 and 46-10-0079-01): counts were subjected to random rounding. Other variables (average value, average number of rooms) were subject to confidentiality suppression.

7 Revisions and possible future versions

At this time, data released in this iteration of the RCHP are subject to updates or revisions if any of the input data are revised. As of the release of RCHP 2022 tables, Statistics Canada expects to do annual updates. Changes in revision strategy, methodology, and scope of variables included in the RCHP are possible in any future releases.

8 List of variables in RCHP tables

This release presents data with current dollar values. A list of the variables included in the RCHP 2022 tables is provided below.