This page brings together information available on gender from multiple angles for a better understanding of the term and to promote standard adoption and interoperability of data.
Gender statistics
Includes a description, data sources and methodology
Gender Statistics
Surveys including gender
In 2018, Statistics Canada started collecting data on gender in social surveys, such as in the 2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. The 2021 Census of Population included for the first time the question on gender and the "at birth" precision to the sex question. Gender is expected to be used by default in most social statistics programs at Statistics Canada in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's (2018) Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada's Sex and Gender Information Practices. Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man, woman, or non-binary person while sex at birth is typically assigned at birth based on a person's reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
Gender of person variable
Includes definitions, usage, conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards, classifications, and previous versions
Gender of person
Gender classification
The classification structure and a link to the definitions and usage
Classification of gender
Classification of cisgender, transgender and non-binary
Public consultations
What we Heard: 2021 Public Consultation on Gender and Sexual Diversity Statistical Metadata Standards - What We Heard Report
Reference documentation
Age, Sex at Birth and Gender Reference Guide
2021 Census: Sex at birth and gender – the whole picture (video)
Balancing the Protection of Confidentiality with the Needs for Disaggregated Census Data
Filling the gaps: Information on gender in the 2021 Census
Questions used
Questions designed to collect data on Gender
Option 1
(response by proxy)
What is this person's gender?
Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man, a woman or a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman, for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or Two-Spirit.
- Man
- Woman
- Or please specify this person's gender:
Option 2
(self-reported)
What is your gender?
Gender refers to an individual’s personal and social identity as a man, a woman or a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman, for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or Two-Spirit.
- Man
- Woman
- Or please specify your gender: