Rural Canada Housing Profiles
Metadata and user guide

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Note

The Rural Canada Housing Profiles database is no longer maintained or updated. Please contact  Rural Client Services for additional information or enquiries.

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1. Database structure and contents

The Rural Canada Housing Profiles (RCHP) database consists of five data tables, each focused on different housing-related concepts. Variables are classified based on geography (Canada, province or territory, census subdivision, rural and small-town (RST)] area and functional urban area),^{Note 1} type of work (e.g., new construction, renovation) and building type (e.g., single, multiple). The tables are as follows:

• Table 46-10-0087-01: Residential building permits, numbers and values 
• Table 46-10-0088-01: Values of investments in residential building construction 
• Table 46-10-0089-01: Residential property characteristics
• Table 46-10-0078-01: Occupied private dwelling characteristics
• Table 46-10-0079-01: Private household characteristics

Table 1 provides an overview of the structure and contents of the RCHP tables. For details on (1) data sources, refer to Section 4: Data sources;  (2) geographic and housing concepts, refer to  Section 5: Geographical and housing concepts; and (3) variables, refer to Section 8: List of variables.

2. Reference periods of the RCHP database

The RCHP database includes data from 2018 onward. Reference periods vary based on the reference dates of the data sources used for each table. Reference dates for the RCHP tables are summarized in Table 2.

3. Geographic coverage of the RCHP database

The geographic coverage of the RCHP tables align with the coverage of the statistical program that serve as their data source (see Section 4). An overview of the geographic coverage is summarized in Table 3.

4. Data sources

The RCHP database uses four data sources, all based on Statistics Canada programs. Data are obtained from the Building Permits Program, the Investment in Building Construction Program, the Canadian Housing Statistics Program and the Census of Population.

4.1 Building permits and Investment in building construction programs

Building permits and investment in residential building construction data used for the RCHP tables are obtained from Statistics Canada’s monthly Building Permits^{Note 2} and Investment in Building Construction^{Note 3} programs. The data for the Building Permits program are based on survey results, while data for the Investment in Building Construction program are modelled from the Building Permits data and other sources, including data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

4.2 Canadian Housing Statistics Program

Statistics Canada’s Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP),^{Note 4} initiated in 2017, provides information on various housing-related topics.^{Note 5} The CHSP covers 2,955 census subdivisions (CSDs) across twelve provinces and territories. Data for Quebec are not currently available in the CHSP.^{Note 6}

While the reference years for the CHSP data in the RCHP database are 2019 onward, the data for a given reference year may reflect market values and property stocks based on property assessment rolls of a province or territory, which can vary depending on the assessment cycle. Each assessment agency uses its own reference dates for municipal assessment rolls, which may differ from the reference years of the CHSP. "Assessment value" refers to the value of the property for tax purposes.^{Note 7 Note 8} As reference dates differ across provinces and territories, comparisons across provinces and territories may introduce errors.

4.3 Census of Population

The Census of Population covers the entire Canadian population and is conducted every five years. The RCHP uses the most recent Census.^{Note 9} 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 10}

Depending on the variable, the RCHP database uses data gathered through both the Short Form and the Long Form of the Census, with the latter distributed to a 25% sample of the Canadian population.^{Note 11}

5. Geographical and housing concepts

5.1 Geographical concepts and classifications

5.1.1 Standard Geographical Classification

The geographical classification and concepts used in the RCHP database 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).

As multiple versions of the SGC are used in the RCHP database, the classification of some CSDs differs between tables. The 2016 SGC is used for RCHP tables with reference periods from 2018 to 2021. The 2021 SGC is used for reference periods from 2022 onward. Specifically, for RCHP tables sourcing data from the 2021 Census of Population, the 2021 SGC was used. 

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 municipalities 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. 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 12}

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 falls below 10,000, the CA is withdrawn from the next census.

5.1.4 Classification of CSDs: Rural and small town areas or functional urban area

The source data in the RCHP are classified by geography at the CSD level. The RCHP database defines CSDs within CMAs or CAs as “functional urban area”. CSDs outside of CMAs or CAs are classified as “rural and small town area”.

5.2 Housing concepts and classifications

5.2.1 Building permits program and the Investment in building construction program

The following descriptions of building permit-related concepts are based on the documentation available by each program.^{Note 13}

• 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 14}
• 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 Canadian Housing Statistics Program

The following housing concepts and descriptions are primarily based on documentation available by the Canadian Housing Statistics Program.^{Note 15}

• 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 considered.

5.2.3 Housing concepts from the Census of Population

The following concepts and descriptions are primarily based on documentation available for the Census of Population.^{Note 16}

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 17}
• 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 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 18}

6. Compilation methodology

6.1 Processing source data to produce RCHP tables

6.1.1 Aggregation from CSD to higher geographic levels

Geographic aggregates (Canada, province or territory, rural and small town (RST) area and functional urban area) in the RCHP database are derived as the sum of CSD-level data. For example, values for RST areas of Ontario are the result of the sum of values for all RST CSDs within Ontario.

For Table 46-10-0089-01, based on data from the Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CSHP), provincial-level values are available through the CSHP. As the CHSP does not include data for all provinces and territories, country-level aggregates cannot be created.

6.1.2 Compilation of building permits and investments in building construction data

For Tables 46-10-0087-01 and 46-10-0089-01, three additional types of aggregation are performed:

• Monthly data are aggregated into annual (calendar year) values.
• Type of work categories are classified into four groups, as outlined in Table 4.
• Building types are mapped to components used in the RCHP database, as shown in Table 5 .

6.1.3 Compilation of Canadian Housing Statistics Program data

For RCHP Table 46-10-0089-01, data from the Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP) are retrieved at the CSD and provincial/territorial levels. However, data are not available for all provinces and territories. Aggregates for rural and small town (RST) and functional urban areas at the province/territory level are calculated for the provinces and territories in which CHSP data are available.

Since the CHSP values provide data as means and medians, aggregate values are calculated from lower-level summary statistics. Values for RST and functional urban areas at province/territory level were computed as weighted averages based on the means within relevant CSDs (i.e., the sum of values multiplied by CSD counts).

Housing-related variables from the 2021 Census of Population are aggregated using Statistics Canada’s G-SPEC application, which is designed to create tables from census microdata. A custom geography input file is developed using a RST/functional urban area concordance for CSDs based on the 2021 SGC. Aggregations for RST/functional urban areas at Canada or province/territory levels are made 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 19}  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.

Data suppression was performed using a hierarchy-aware suppression program developed internally at Statistics Canada called G-Confid.^{Note 20} For the RCHP database, three methods of data suppression are implemented:

• Random rounding: A count is rounded randomly up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
• Quality suppression: Values are suppressed when the data quality of the value is low.
• Confidentiality suppression: Primary and secondary suppression^{Note 21} are applied when there is risk of releasing sensitive information.

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

• Table 46-10-0087-01: Data quality suppression, with CSD-level data suppressed for imputed CSDs.
• Table 46-10-0088-01: Data quality suppression, with CSD-level data suppressed for imputed CSDs. Furthermore, due to data quality concerns, data for certain types of work (conversions and deconversions, alterations and improvements, and other) were suppressed at the CSD level.
• Table 46-10-0089-01: The published data sourcing this table was subject to random rounding by the Canadian Housing Statistics Program.
• Tables 46-10-0078-01 and 46-10-0079-0): Random rounding for counts and confidentiality suppression for other variables including average value, average number of rooms.

7. RCHP database updates and revision strategy

The RCHP database is subject to updates or revisions as needed.

8. List of variables