Legacy Content

Participate in the consultation on gender and sexual diversity statistical metadata standards

This consultation is now closed.

Release date: January 29, 2021

Introduction

Statistical standards for gender and sexual diversity (such as the definition of the concept and the classifications that define their categories) allow for the reporting of statistically diverse groups of the population in a consistent manner. It is important to ensure its relevance by taking into account the wider social context when updating the gender standard and creating standards relating to the concepts of sexual orientation and belonging to the LGBTQ2+ population.

Consultation objectives

This public consultation will ultimately improve statistics about the LGBTQ2+ population. Specifically, Statistics Canada is seeking feedback on:

  1. proposed updates to the standard on gender of person and
  2. proposed new standards for sexual orientation and LGBTQ2+ status of person.

Feedback from Canadians will be valuable to ensure that Statistics Canada uses appropriate conceptual definitions that take into account the different points of view emanating from communities.

Background

Standards and measure of gender and sexual orientation

Statistics Canada released new sex at birth and gender variables and classifications in April 2018 in order to better reflect how Canadians describe themselves and to address information gaps on Canada's transgender population, including the non-binary population, while maintaining the same high standards for quality and historical comparability of the data. The goal was also to improve data quality by clarifying the concept of sex used to-date.

Participants in the consultation are invited to review the proposed updates on the gender standard. Among other changes, the definition of gender, the usage sections and the comparison to relevant internationally recognized standards have been expanded. In addition, some category definitions in the classifications have been updated. The new category names 'Transgender non-binary person' and 'Non-binary gender' have replaced 'Transgender person, not elsewhere classified' and 'Gender diverse' in the previous standard.

Statistics Canada has been collecting information about sexual orientation since 2003. The new standards related to sex at birth and gender released in 2018 allowed for a more nuanced understanding of sexual orientation and the ability to cover the full LGBTQ2+ population, including persons who are transgender or non-binary.

Participants in the consultation are invited to review the proposed measure and standards Statistics Canada will use to measure and disseminate information about the LGBTQ2+ population.

More information about how these classifications are related is provided in the Annex - Mapping of sexual identity, transgender status and LGBTQ2+ status of person.

How to participate

Individuals and organizations are invited to review and provide feedback on the measure, definitions and classifications for the new standards.

This consultation is open from February 2, 2021 to March 12, 2021.

Treatment of comments

Statistics Canada will review all feedback received. Statistics Canada reserves the right to use independent consultants or government employees, if deemed necessary, to assess these.

If deemed appropriate, a representative of Statistics Canada will contact respondents by email to request additional questions or seek clarification on a particular aspect of their feedback.

Please note that feedback will not necessarily result in changes in the proposed standards.

Costs associated with feedback

Statistics Canada will not reimburse respondents for expenses incurred in developing their proposal.

Official languages

Proposals may be written in either of Canada's official languages—English or French. Include your contact information in the event you need to be contacted for additional information or clarification.

Confidentiality

Statistics Canada is committed to respecting the privacy of consultation participants. All personal information created, held or collected by the Agency is protected by the Privacy Act. For more information on Statistics Canada's privacy policies, please consult the Privacy notice.

Note of appreciation

We thank all participants for their interest and involvement in this consultation. Your contributions are valuable to us.

Enquiries

If you have any enquiries about this process, please send them to: statcan.csds-lgbtq2-cnsd-lgbtq2.statcan@canada.ca.

Standards and measure of gender and sexual orientation

Statistics Canada uses tested and trusted statistical standards to ensure that the quality of the data produced is consistent over time and across collections.

Statistics Canada develops harmonized survey questions to be able to collect the same conceptual information across different surveys. This information is then disseminated according to our statistical standards (in particular, variables and classifications).

The question used to collect information on gender has already been finalized for the 2021 Census. The question that Statistics Canada is proposing to collect information on sexual orientation will ask:

What is your sexual orientation? Would you say you are:

  • Heterosexual or straight
  • Gay or lesbian
  • Bisexual
  • Or please specify

How are standardized variables used?

A variable is a characteristic of a statistical unit being observed that may assume more than one of a set of values to which a numerical measure or a category from a classification can be assigned. When a variable is approved as a departmental standard by Statistics Canada, it becomes mandatory to use it for all surveys and census, when appropriate. A statistical variable consists of two main parts: the characteristic (property) of a population being measured (e.g., gender, sex at birth, age, revenue, etc.) and the statistical unit (object class) being observed (e.g., person, household, census family, etc.).

Classifications within a statistical variable provide categories that can be used in tables and charts to disseminate information collected using a particular statistical variable. Several factors affect what level of detail can be disseminated using a particular classification, to protect respondents' confidentiality and meet data quality standards. For example, in 2018, the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces (SSPPS) estimated 4% of the Canadian population aged 15 and older was lesbian, gay, bisexual, or a sexual orientation that is not heterosexual. According to the SSPPS, 0.24% of Canadians indicated that they were transgender, including those who are non-binary. Surveys with a smaller sample size may not be able to reliably estimate these groups individually. This is especially the case for transgender (including non-binary) Canadians, who are included in LGBTQ2+ communities.

For this reason, the classifications assigned to standardized variables provide both larger and finer levels of aggregation (see mapping in the Annex - Mapping of sexual identity, transgender status and LGBTQ2+ status of person). Developing multilevel classifications for statistical variables allows Statistics Canada to report on the results in a consistent way that meets data quality standards while protecting Canadians' confidentiality.

Below you will find the proposed statistical standards for three variables: gender of person, sexual orientation of person and LGBTQ2+ status of person. These include classifications for the main components of sexual orientation - sexual identity, sexual attraction, and sexual behaviour, which can be measured separately.

Gender of person

Proposed updated standard for gender of person

Definition

Gender refers to a person's social or personal identity as a man, woman or non-binary person (a person who is not exclusively male or female). Conceptions of gender are influenced by several factors, including biological characteristics, cultural and behavioural norms, and self-identity.

Gender includes the concepts of:

  • gender identity (felt gender), which is the gender that a person feels internally
  • gender expression (lived gender), which is the gender a person expresses publicly in their daily life, including at work, at home or in the broader community.

A person's current gender may differ from the sex they were assigned at birth (male or female), and may differ from what is indicated on their current legal documents. A person's gender may change over time. Some people may not identify with a specific gender or with the concept of gender as a whole.

Person refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programs.

Usage

Sex and gender refer to two different concepts, but are interrelated. While sex is understood in terms of biological features, gender is a multidimensional concept that is influenced by several additional factors, including biological characteristics, cultural and behavioural norms, and self-identity. Caution should be exercised when comparing counts for sex with those for gender. For example, female sex is not exactly the same as female gender.

Gender is also different from the concept of sexual orientation, which is an umbrella term that includes a person's sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behaviour.

In this standard, the concept of gender falls within the realm of 'gender identity' as a field of study, which generally encompasses gender expression as well. Gender is a complex subject with various cultural and international conceptions. Furthermore, this concept is strongly affected by ongoing social change and, as a result, is constantly evolving.

The variable 'Gender of person' and the 'Classification of gender' are expected to be used by default in most social statistics programs at Statistics Canada. The variable 'Sex of person' and the 'Classification of sex' are to be used in conjunction with the variable 'Gender of person' and the 'Classification of gender', where information on sex at birth is needed, for example, for some demographic and health programs and to estimate the transgender or LGBTQ2+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit or another non-binary gender or minority sexual identity) population. In statistical programs, gender may be reported in terms of a person's felt or lived gender, as well as how one is perceived by others, depending on whether information on gender is based on self-reported data or done by proxy.

The gender question can be asked of children, depending on the survey population.

Classifications

Classification of gender
Code Category Definition
1 Male gender This category includes persons whose current gender was reported as male. This includes cisgender and transgender persons whose current gender was reported as male.
2 Female gender This category includes persons whose current gender was reported as female. This includes cisgender and transgender persons whose current gender was reported as female.
3 Non-binary gender

This category includes persons whose current gender was not reported exclusively as male or female. It also includes persons whose current gender was reported as both male and female, neither male nor female, either male or female in addition to another gender, or those who were identified as being unsure of their gender. As well, it includes persons whose current gender was reported, for example, as agender, pangender, genderqueer, genderfluid, or gender-nonconforming. It also includes persons whose current gender was reported as Two-Spirit, a term specific to Indigenous people from North America.

Usage

The category names of the 'Classification of gender' are not unique to the field of gender and gender identity. In French, the terms 'genre masculin' and 'genre féminin' are also used to describe the grammatical gender of nouns. In English, the terms 'male' and 'female' are used as biological sex categories. The terms 'genre masculin' and 'genre féminin' in French, as well as 'male' and 'female' in English, are also suitable gender terms, provided that the context is clear. They are familiar to the public and used across Canada on driver's licences and birth certificates.

For analytical purposes, the use of 'man' or 'boy' instead of 'male', as well as the use of 'woman' or 'girl' instead of 'female', may be considered.

The umbrella term 'non-binary' is increasingly being used to refer to people who would describe their gender as neither exclusively male or female nor man or woman, as mentioned in the In-Depth Review of Measuring Gender Identity conducted by Statistics Canada and the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics in 2019. However, individuals who fall under the category of non-binary gender within this classification do not necessarily use this label for their gender identity.

In English, the term 'another gender', translated as 'un autre genre' in French, may be used. However, it is preferable to refer to the umbrella term 'non binaire' in French. The term 'un autre genre' can be confusing, as the term 'genre' has multiple meanings in French.

Binary genders include both transgender and cisgender men and women whose current gender was reported as exclusively male or exclusively female.

Non-binary genders include persons whose current gender was not reported as either of the binary genders, as both binary genders, or as a binary gender in addition to another gender.

Classification of transgender status
Code Category Definition
1 Cisgender person This category includes persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as the same as their current gender.
1.1 Cisgender man This category includes persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as male and whose current gender was also reported as male.
1.2 Cisgender woman This category includes persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as female and whose current gender was also reported as female.
2 Transgender person This category includes persons whose reported sex assigned at birth differs from their current gender. It also includes persons who are non-binary, that is, whose current gender was not reported exclusively as male or female.
2.1 Transgender man This category includes persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as female and whose current gender was reported as male. It also includes persons whose current gender was reported as trans man.
2.2 Transgender woman This category includes persons whose sex assigned at birth was reported as male and whose current gender was reported as female. It also includes persons whose current gender was reported as trans woman.
2.3 Transgender non-binary person

This category includes persons whose current gender was not reported exclusively as male or female. It also includes persons whose current gender was reported as both male and female, neither male nor female, either male or female in addition to another gender, or those who were identified as being unsure of their gender. As well, it includes persons whose current gender was reported, for example, as agender, pangender, genderqueer, genderfluid, or gender-nonconforming. It also includes persons whose current gender was reported as Two-Spirit, a term specific to Indigenous people from North America.

Usage

Data for this classification may be derived from sex at birth and gender by cross-classifying the categories of the 'Classification of sex' (male and female) with the 'Classification of gender' (male gender, female gender and non-binary gender).

This classification supports the publication of data on minority gender identities, which include transgender men and women, as well as non-binary persons.

Individuals classified as cisgender or transgender within this classification do not necessarily use these terms to describe their gender identity. Although non-binary genders are included in the transgender category, not all non-binary individuals identify with this term, nor do they consider themselves to be transgender in the same way as transgender men and women do.

Sexual orientation and LGBTQ2+ status of person

Proposed new statistical standard for sexual orientation of person

Definition

Sexual orientation refers to an umbrella term that includes a person's sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behaviour. Sexual identity refers to how a person perceives their sexuality (e.g., lesbian, straight, bisexual), sexual attraction refers to whom a person finds sexually appealing, and sexual behaviour refers to with whom a person engages in sexual activity. A person's sexual orientation may change over time.

Person refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programs.

Usage

Sexual orientation is distinct from the concepts of gender and sex.

This definition of sexual orientation encompasses three distinct concepts: sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behaviour. These three components of sexual orientation are related but do not necessarily correspond to each other, and the three can be measured separately. For statistical purposes, it is important to indicate which of these three concepts is being measured in the specific context.

The minimum age for responding to sexual orientation questions depends on which component of sexual orientation is targeted. The minimum age for asking about sexual identity is 15. The minimum age for asking questions about sexual attraction and sexual behaviour need to be considered in light of the survey purpose and target population.

Sexual orientation is a complex and evolving subject matter for which there is no universally acknowledged definition. The underlying concept being measured is affected by ongoing social change, making the defining of categories difficult. Every effort has been made to create a standard that reflects the terminology used internationally, in academic literature, and guided by qualitative testing and consultation at the time of its creation.

Classifications

Classification of sexual orientation – sexual identity
Code Category Definition
1 Heterosexual or straight This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as heterosexual or straight. It includes persons who have physically and/or emotionally intimate feelings only towards persons of a different sex or gender than their own.
2 Minority sexual identity This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, Two-Spirit, or another sexual identity that is not heterosexual or straight.
2.1 Gay or lesbian This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as gay or lesbian. It includes persons who have physically and/or emotionally intimate feelings only towards persons of the same sex or gender as their own.
2.2 Bisexual This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as bisexual. It includes persons who have physically and/or emotionally intimate feelings both towards persons of their own sex or gender and persons of a different sex or gender.
2.3 Pansexual; asexual; queer, n.o.s.Footnote 1; Two-Spirit, n.o.s.; or sexual identity, n.e.c.Footnote 2 This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as pansexual, asexual, queer, Two-Spirit, or another sexual identity that is not heterosexual or straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual.
2.3.1 Pansexual This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as pansexual. It includes persons who have physically and/or emotionally intimate feelings towards persons of any sex or gender.
2.3.2 Asexual This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as asexual. It includes persons who have little or no interest in sex. It also includes persons who reported not having a sexual orientation.
2.3.3 Queer, n.o.s. This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as queer. Some people use this term to denote any sexuality other than heterosexual or straight; for others, the term carries strong political connotations and a reclamation of a derogatory term; while there remain those for whom the term carries stigma.
2.3.4 Two-Spirit, n.o.s. This category includes Indigenous people from North America whose current sexual identity was reported as Two-Spirit. It includes Indigenous people whose cultural role embodies both female and male spirits. Indigenous people may understand Two-Spirit to be an umbrella term that includes those who embrace various sexual identities, gender identities and expressions. Some Indigenous people may not identify with the term 'Two-Spirit', instead preferring to use a different term specific to their culture.
2.3.5 Sexual identity, n.e.c. This category includes persons who reported a current sexual identity that is not heterosexual or straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer or Two-Spirit.
Footnote 1

Not otherwise specified.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Not elsewhere classified.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Usage

Sexual identity is self-declared – that is, it is up to the person to choose how they best describe their identity. In the context of most statistical surveys, sexual identity is the component most readily associated with the term 'sexual orientation', and the two can be used interchangeably (e.g., discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation may target lesbian, gay and bisexual Canadians). This classification is intended to provide inclusive definitions that are descriptive of all people who may use the particular term to self-identify.

Classification of sexual orientation – sexual attraction
Code Category Definition
1 Person only or mostly attracted to persons of a different gender This category includes persons who reported being only or mostly attracted to persons of a different gender.
1.1 Person only attracted to persons of a different gender This category includes persons who reported being only attracted to persons of a different gender. It includes male persons who reported being only attracted to persons of female gender or persons of non-binary gender, female persons who reported being only attracted to persons of male gender or persons of non-binary gender, and persons of non-binary gender who reported being only attracted to persons of either male gender or female gender.
1.2 Person mostly attracted to persons of a different gender This category includes persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of a different gender. It includes male persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of female gender or persons of non-binary gender, female persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of male gender or persons of non-binary gender, and persons of non-binary gender who reported being mostly attracted to persons of either male gender or female gender.
2 Person only or mostly attracted to persons of the same gender This category includes persons who reported being only or mostly attracted to persons of the same gender.
2.1 Person only attracted to persons of the same gender This category includes persons who reported being only attracted to persons of the same gender. It includes male persons who reported being only attracted to persons of male gender, female persons who reported being only attracted to persons of female gender, and persons of non-binary gender who reported being only attracted to persons of non-binary gender.
2.2 Person mostly attracted to persons of the same gender This category includes persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of the same gender. It includes male persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of male gender, female persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of female gender, and persons of non-binary gender who reported being mostly attracted to persons of non-binary gender.
3 Person equally attracted to persons of multiple genders This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to persons of male gender, female gender and/or non-binary gender.
3.1 Person equally attracted to persons of two genders This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to two genders.
3.1.1 Person equally attracted to persons of two genders other than their own This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to persons of two genders other than their own. It includes male persons who reported being equally attracted to both persons of female gender and non-binary gender, female persons who reported being equally attracted to both persons of male gender and non-binary gender, and persons of non-binary gender who reported being equally attracted to both persons of male gender and female gender.
3.1.2 Person equally attracted to persons of the same and different gender This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to persons of the same and different gender. It includes male persons who reported being equally attracted to both persons of male gender and either female gender or non-binary gender, female persons who reported being equally attracted to both persons of female gender and either male gender or non-binary gender, and persons of non-binary gender who reported being equally attracted to both persons of non-binary gender and either male gender or female gender.
3.2 Person equally attracted to persons of all genders This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to all genders—persons of male gender, female gender and non-binary gender. It includes persons who are attracted to persons regardless of gender.
4 Person unsure of their sexual attraction This category includes persons who reported not being sure to which gender they are attracted.
5 Person who does not experience sexual attraction This category includes persons who reported not experiencing sexual attraction.
Classification of sexual orientation – sexual attraction, variant
Code Category Definition
1 Person only or mostly attracted to persons of male gender This category includes persons who reported being only or mostly attracted to persons of male gender.
1.1 Person only attracted to persons of male gender This category includes persons who reported being only attracted to persons of male gender.
1.2 Person mostly attracted to persons of male gender This category includes persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of male gender. It includes persons who reported also being attracted to persons of female gender and/or persons of non-binary gender to a smaller degree.
2 Person only or mostly attracted to persons of female gender This category includes persons who reported being only or mostly attracted to persons of female gender.
2.1 Person only attracted to persons of female gender This category includes persons who reported being only attracted to persons of female gender.
2.2 Person mostly attracted to persons of female gender This category includes persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons of female gender. It includes persons who reported also being attracted to persons of male gender and/or persons of non-binary gender to a smaller degree.
3 Person only or mostly attracted to persons of non-binary gender This category includes persons who reported being only or mostly attracted to persons who are non-binary.
3.1 Person only attracted to persons of non-binary gender This category includes persons who reported being only attracted to persons who are non-binary.
3.2 Person mostly attracted to persons of non-binary gender This category includes persons who reported being mostly attracted to persons who are non-binary. It includes persons who reported also being attracted to persons of male gender and/or female gender to a smaller degree.
4 Person equally attracted to persons of multiple genders This category includes persons who reported being attracted to persons of at least two genders, as well as persons who reported being attracted to all genders equally. It includes persons who are attracted to persons regardless of gender.
4.1 Person equally attracted to persons of two genders This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to two genders.
4.1.1 Person equally attracted to persons of male gender and female gender This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to persons of male gender and female gender.
4.1.2 Person equally attracted to persons of male and non-binary gender This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to persons of male gender and non-binary gender.
4.1.3 Person equally attracted to persons of female and non-binary gender This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to persons of female gender and non-binary gender.
4.2 Person equally attracted to persons of all genders This category includes persons who reported being equally attracted to all genders—persons of male gender, female gender and non-binary gender. It includes persons who are attracted to persons regardless of gender.
5 Person unsure of their sexual attraction This category includes persons who reported not being sure to which gender they are attracted.
6 Person who does not experience sexual attraction This category includes persons who reported not experiencing sexual attraction.

Usage

The measure of sexual attraction is most appropriate for younger populations who may not have identified their sexuality yet.

The categorical classification can be evaluated with gender of the respondent to derive relational information (e.g., attraction to the same gender) for analyses.

The sexual attraction standard is based on the gender identity and expression of the other person as information about sex at birth (or even current sex) is not necessarily known at the point that attraction occurs.

It is important to include attraction to persons of non-binary genders. At Statistics Canada, 'non-binary' is an umbrella term used to describe genders that are not exclusively male or female. Attraction to other people of non-binary genders may not necessarily represent same-gender attraction (e.g., agender, Two-Spirit, genderfluid are all non-binary genders). However, for analytical purposes, they could be included alongside male and female respondents attracted to same-gender persons.

Classification of sexual orientation – sexual behaviour
Code Category Definition
1 Person with different-sex partners only This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of a different sex.
1.1 Female person with only male partners This category includes female persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of male sex.
1.2 Male person with only female partners This category includes male persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of female sex.
2 Person with same-sex partners only This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of the same sex.
2.1 Male person with only male partners This category includes male persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of male sex.
2.2 Female person with only female partners This category includes female persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of female sex.
3 Person with both male and female partners This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with both partners of male sex and female sex.
3.1 Male person with both male and female partners This category includes male persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with both partners of male sex and female sex.
3.2 Female person with both male and female partners This category includes female persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with both partners of male sex and female sex.
4 Person with partners who are neither male nor female This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with at least one partner who does not fit into the categories of male or female sex, for example partners who are intersex.
4.1 Male person with partners who are neither male nor female This category includes male persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with at least one partner who does not fit into the categories of male or female sex, for example partners who are intersex.
4.2 Female person with partners who are neither male nor female This category includes female persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with at least one partner who does not fit into the categories of male or female sex, for example partners who are intersex.
Classification of sexual orientation – sexual behaviour, variant
Code Category Definition
1 Person with male partners only This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of male sex.
2 Person with female partners only This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity only with partners of female sex.
3 Person with both male and female partners This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with partners of both male and female sex.
4 Person with partners who are neither male nor female This category includes persons who reported engaging in sexual activity with at least one partner who does not fit into the categories of male and female sex, for example partners who are intersex.

Usage

The sexual behaviour component of sexual orientation is often measured to support information needs related to sexual and reproductive health. Sexual behaviour categories reference sex of the partners (not gender identity or expression) to accurately assess possible risks based on biological sex characteristics of the person, such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

The categorical classification can be evaluated with sex of the respondent to derive relational information (e.g., whether the respondent reported engaging in same-sex sexual activity) for analyses.

When sexual behaviour is measured and disseminated, groups should be identified using terminology that refers to behaviour and not identity (e.g., 'men who have sex with men' and not 'gay and bisexual men').

What constitutes 'sexual activity' and the reference period in which it occurred may vary depending on what is being measured in a given survey. As such, the definition of sexual activity for each survey should be provided, and the measure should ask respondents to refer to a specific time-period (e.g., in the past year, in your lifetime). Only those sexually active during the reference period are in scope for this classification.

Proposed new statistical standard for LGBTQ2+ status of person

Definition

LGBTQ2+ status refers to whether or not a person is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, or another non-binary gender or minority sexual identity.

Person refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programs.

Derivation

'LGBTQ2+ status' is derived from information on 'Transgender status' and 'Sexual orientation- sexual identity'. The 'Transgender status' classification identifies persons whose current gender is not the same as their sex at birth (which includes the non-binary population). Together with persons reporting a minority sexual identity, they constitute the LGBTQ2+ population.

Classifications

Classification of LGBTQ2+ status
Code Category Definition
1 LGBTQ2+ person This category includes persons who reported a minority sexual identity and persons who are transgender. It includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, Two-Spirit, or another sexual identity that is not heterosexual or straight. It also includes persons whose reported sex assigned at birth differs from their current gender, including those who are non-binary, that is, whose current gender was not reported exclusively as male or female (e.g., their gender was reported as agender, pangender, genderqueer, or genderfluid).
2 Non-LGBTQ2+ (Heterosexual and cisgender) person This category includes persons whose current sexual identity was reported as heterosexual and whose sex at birth is the same as their current gender.

Usage

Where 'heterosexual and cisgender' appears in brackets in the category name, it may be omitted when the context provides clarification.

Annex

Annex - Mapping of sexual identity, transgender status and LGBTQ2+ status of person

Data quality and confidentiality standards must be met when Statistics Canada disseminates survey results in tables, charts and analyses. Disaggregated data about gender and sexual diversity can be of lower quality if the collected sample size is too small. In such cases, it may be helpful to combine gender and sexual minority respondents to produce estimates related to the broader LGBTQ2+ population. LGBTQ2+ status can only be derived for surveys that collect information about sex at birth, gender, and sexual orientation.

The highest level of aggregation is the LGBTQ2+ status classification. It includes persons classified as transgender and those identifying as a sexual identity other than heterosexual. However, when sample-size allows, the lowest level of aggregation should be used to specifically address differences within the LGBTQ2+ populations.

While statistics about heterosexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual Canadians have been collected since 2003, to-date, estimates of more detailed sexual identity categories have not met Statistics Canada standards for quality and confidentiality to be released. Future surveys may be able to disseminate more detailed categories depending on the survey purpose and target demographic.

Proposed mapping of transgender and sexual identity classifications to LGBTQ2+ status
LGBTQ2+ status Transgender status Minority sexual identity Sexual identity (default aggregation) Sexual identity (detailed)
No Cisgender No Heterosexual or straight Heterosexual or straight
Yes Transgender
Cisgender Yes Gay or lesbian Gay or lesbian
Bisexual Bisexual
Pansexual; asexual; queer, n.o.s.; Two-Spirit, n.o.s.; or sexual identity, n.e.c. Pansexual
Asexual
Queer, n.o.s.
Two-Spirit, n.o.s.
Sexual identity, n.e.c.
Transgender Gay or lesbian Gay or lesbian
Bisexual Bisexual
Pansexual; asexual; queer, n.o.s.; Two-Spirit, n.o.s.; or sexual identity, n.e.c. Pansexual
Asexual
Queer, n.o.s.
Two-Spirit, n.o.s.
Sexual identity, n.e.c.

Sexual identity is the default and main measure of sexual orientation at Statistics Canada, and informs the LGBTQ2+ status variable (along with gender and sex at birth). LGBTQ2+ status is a derived variable that is not measured directly.

Additional measures to collect information about sexual attraction and/or sexual behaviour may be included if relevant for the survey purpose (e.g., to inform issues of sexual and reproductive health). The attraction component is most often measured in younger populations (e.g., Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth), who may not yet identify with a particular sexuality. Inclusion and analysis of multiple measures of sexual orientation can inform research on more complex public health issues. To-date, Statistics Canada has not measured all three dimensions on a single instrument, although the Canadian Community Health Survey (2015-2016) included questions about sexual behaviours with female and/or male partners and sexual orientation (sexual identity).

Date modified:

Output files

Returned files

Returned files

Users will be notified via email when output files are received in their Electronic File Transfer (EFT) inbox. Users have 7 days to download the files from the EFT system. After 7 days‚ the files will be deleted. Only output tables from the Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) macros will be returned and outputs with missing values will not be available.

For each successful SAS program submitted‚ four types of files will be returned to you:

  1. Customized SAS Log (.log)—contains all elements of a standard SAS log with the exception of observation counts‚ which have been removed to protect confidentiality. If a program has failed to run, it will be flagged in red text within this log.
  2. Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) log created from the RTRA system (.txt)—informs users about which stage of the RTRA process the SAS program has successfully completed.
  3. SAS datasets (.sas7bdat)—contains output results in SAS dataset format.
  4. Table (.csv)—contains output results in comma-separated values format.
  5. Tables (.html)—contains output results in HTML format ("RTRAFreq" macro only).

Users may receive the following message when accessing outputs in SAS dataset format:

Note: Data file LIBA.RTRA961628_TABLE1.DATA is in a format that is native to another host‚ or the file encoding does not match the session encoding. Cross Environment Data Access will be used‚ which might require additional CPU resources and might reduce performance.

This note means the file was created in an operating environment that is different than your environment. You can eliminate this message by applying this data step to convert your SAS file:

Data LIBA.RTRA961628_TABLE1;

Set LIBA.RTRA961628_TABLE1;

run;

Quality indicators

Quality indicators

RTRA system will provide users with indicators of data quality for surveys that have bootstrap weights associated with the files.

The following quality indicators, or precision measures, may be available (output may vary depending on the statistic being calculated and survey being used):

BSWCNT: Bootstrap Weighted Count (the number of bootstrap weights used in its calculation)

COUNT: Weighted Counts

S.E.: Standard Error (precision measure)

CILB: Confidence Interval Lower Bound (precision measure)

CIUB: Confidence Interval Upper Bound (precision measure)

QI: Quality Indicator

Researchers are responsible for ensuring the quality of their output. Notes on data quality and usage of data sets can be found in the microdata available in Real Time Remote Access webpage.

Data quality definitions

Data quality definitions

Quality Indicators (Q.I.)
  • C.V. values are not released
  • Quality Indicators (Q.I.) are released based on the following C.V.1:
Value of coefficient of variation (C.V.) Quality indicator
1. C.V. values are calculated from original S.E. and original estimate values.
2. n stands for the number of observations and X is kept confidential and may vary per survey.
3. C.V. not defined refers to cases of division by zero (when released estimate = 0).
C.V. ≤ 0.05 (a)
0.05 < C.V. ≤ 0.15 (b)
0.15 < C.V. ≤ 0.25 (c)
0.25 < C.V. ≤ 0.35 (d)
C.V. > 0.35 or n < X2 (e)
C.V. not defined3 (*)
Released frequency = 0 (.)
Suppressed statistic (.)

Preparing a program

For the Real Time Remote Access (RTRA) system to automate the confidentiality processes, your programs must be written in a standard format. To write a SAS program in the correct format, users must apply information from the RTRA parameters document and create statistics by calling standard RTRA macros.

Parameters

Parameters

The RTRA parameters contains essential information that users will require to write their SAS programs. The terms in this document are explained below.

SAS Tag Name - A tag name is a unique reference term for each survey library available through the RTRA system. To ensure access to the correct survey library, the tag name must be referenced in the title of your SAS program. Please refer to Program name for directives on the correct naming convention of your SAS program.

SAS datasets - The SAS dataset name must be referenced using the standard libname called RTRAData. To ensure access to the correct survey dataset, please refer to the RTRA data page for the complete list of dataset names.

Rounding base - Frequencies are rounded in accordance with the rounding base specified for each survey dataset. The rounding base is developed using information on the weight distribution, minimum-respondent rules and existing rounding practice for each survey dataset.

Variables renamed - For RTRA compatibility reasons, certain variables are renamed.

Deleted variables - Sensitive variables that pose a disclosure risk are deleted from the microdata files.

Weight - Weight variables for each survey dataset are made available in this document. Although sample weights do not exist for administrative datasets, a standard name of “WEIGHT” must be inputted for the RTRA system to pass in the macro. This “WEIGHT” variable is equal to 1 for administrative data files.

Execution time limit - The execution time limit specifies the maximum time length for running the program submission. This limit prevents the SAS program from running for an excessive amount of time and consuming unnecessary computing resources.

Program name

Program name

To ensure access to the correct survey library, the tag name must be referenced in the title of your SAS program. Please refer to the RTRA data page for the complete list of tag names.

Your SAS program must follow a standard naming convention. This convention must begin with the appropriate survey "Tag Name". Next, there must be an underscore followed by a name of your choosing. For example, researchers submitting a program using the 2006 General Social Survey should name their program: GSS2006_anynameyouwant.sas. Note that program names have a 70 character limit and cannot include the characters & and %.

Program content: Statistics

Program content: Statistics

Please ensure your program follows the structure in the sections below.

Part 1: Program element

  • Users need to reference a standard libname called RTRAData. The list of corresponding dataset names can be found in the RTRA parameters. For example, Set RTRAdata.GSS2007;.
  • Do not use a standard SAS libref ; including a libname statement will result in the termination of your program.
  • In this section you can manipulate the data using "proc sort" and "data steps".
  • When using the "keep" statement (to define which variables to include in the output) or "keep=" dataset option in SAS, you must include the 'ID' variable.  For example, Set RTRAdata.GSS2007 (keep = AGE SEX ID);.

Part 2: Statistics

In this section, tabulations are created by calling the custom RTRA procedures macros. You can call these procedures a maximum of 10 times per program.

There are three types of statistics that can be calculated in RTRA:

  • 1. Basic Statistics: These statistics calculate only one statistic at a time. The basic statistics available in the RTRA system are: frequency, mean, percentiles, percent distribution, proportions, ratio and share.
  • 2. Level 5 (L5) Statistics: Also known as higher‐order statistics, these statistics calculate differences between the basic statistics available in the RTRA system.
    • There are three different types of L5 statistics:
      • 1. Level Change (LC): Level change is defined as the difference between the values of the statistic calculated within a table.
      • 2. Percent Change (PC): Percentage change is defined as the percent difference between the values of the statistic within a table. It is calculated by taking the difference of two values within a table and dividing by the original value.
      • 3. Significance Test (ST): Significance tests calculate whether two values in a table have a difference that is statistically significant.
    • There are three methods of calculating L5 statistics. These methods refer to how the values in the table’s cells are compared to one another:
      • 1. Global: For a global L5 statistic, every value in a cell is compared to the value for the entire domain that encompasses these cells.
      • 2. Base Value: A base value L5 statistic compares the value of every cell with another specified cell (the base value).
      • 3. Sequential: A sequential L5 statistic compares the value of every cell with the value of the cell directly below it in the table. Note: The order of the domains in a table matters when using a sequential L5 statistic.
  • 3. Level 5 Sequential Over Time (L5SOT) Statistics: Also known as higher‐order statistics, these statistics calculate differences between the basic statistics available in the RTRA system. L5SOT statistics compare the value of every cell with the value of the cell directly below it in the table in a sequential manner over time. As such, a string of time needs to be identified in the macro so that the sequence can be shown; these time records can be yearly (L5YrVar), monthly (L5MonVar), quarterly (L5QtrVar) or a set time interval (L5TimeInt). Note: The order of the domains in a table matters when using L5SOT statistics.
    • There are three different types of L5SOT statistics:
      • 1. Level Change (LC): Level change is defined as the difference between the values of the statistic calculated within a table.
      • 2. Percent Change (PC): Percentage change is defined as the percent difference between the values of the statistic within a table. It is calculated by taking the difference of two values within a table and dividing by the original value.
      • 3. Significance Test (ST): Significance tests calculate whether two values in a table have a difference that is statistically significant.

Both L5 and L5SOT statistics require a basic statistic to be calculated before they can be used. As such, there is a field within the L5 and L5SOT macros where the basic statistic is identified.

Annual Retail Trade Survey: CVs for operating revenue - 2019

Annual Retail Trade Survey: CVs for operating revenue - 2019
Table summary
This table displays the results of Annual Retail Trade Survey: CVs for operating revenue - 2019. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), CVs for operating revenue and percent (appearing as column headers).
Geography CVs for operating revenue
percent
Canada 0.17
Newfoundland and Labrador 0.15
Prince Edward Island 0.38
Nova Scotia 0.25
New Brunswick 0.19
Quebec 0.33
Ontario 0.21
Manitoba 2.42
Saskatchewan 0.26
Alberta 0.46
British Columbia 0.31
Yukon 0.34
Northwest Territories 0.31
Nunavut 1.20

Section I – Public Use Microdata Files (PUMF) Access: Statistics Canada Open Licence

This licence is issued on behalf of His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister for Statistics Canada ("Statistics Canada") to you (an individual or a legal entity that you are authorized to represent).

The following are terms governing your use of the Information. Your use of any Information indicates your understanding and acceptance of the terms below. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not use the Information.

Statistics Canada may modify this licence at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting of the modified licence on the Statistics Canada website. Your use of the Information will be governed by the terms of the licence in force as of the date and time you accessed the Information.

Definitions

"Information" means the compilation of non-confidential results from any Statistics Canada activities, including data files, databases, public use microdata files, publications, tables, graphs, maps, reports and text for which Statistics Canada is the owner or a licensee of all intellectual property rights and made available to you in accordance with this licence, at cost or no cost, either on the Statistics Canada website or by other means as a result of a contract for goods or services.

"Value-added Products" means any products you have produced by adapting or incorporating the Information, in whole or in part, in accordance with this licence.

Licence Grant

Subject to this licence, Statistics Canada grants you a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to:

  • use, reproduce, publish, freely distribute, or sell the Information;
  • use, reproduce, publish, freely distribute, or sell Value-added Products; and,
  • sublicence any or all such rights, under terms consistent with this licence.

In doing any of the above, you shall:

  • reproduce the Information accurately;
  • not use the Information in a way that suggests that Statistics Canada endorses you or your use of the Information;
  • not misrepresent the Information or its source;
  • use the Information in a manner that does not breach or infringe any applicable laws;
  • not merge or link the Information with any other databases for the purpose of attempting to identify an individual person, business or organization;
  • not present the Information in such a manner that gives the appearance that you may have received, or had access to, information held by Statistics Canada about any identifiable individual person, business or organization; and
  • not disassemble, decompile or in any way attempt to reverse engineer any software provided as part of the Information.

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights, being any and all intellectual property rights recognized by the law, including but not limited to, intellectual property rights protected through legislation, in Value-added Products, shall vest in you, in such person as you shall decide or as determined by law.

Intellectual property rights that Statistics Canada may have in the Information shall remain the property of Statistics Canada. Intellectual property rights that third parties may have in the Information shall remain their property.

Acknowledgment of Source

(a) You shall include and maintain the following notice on all licensed rights of the Information:

Source: Statistics Canada, name of product, reference date. Reproduced and distributed on an "as is" basis with the permission of Statistics Canada.

(b) Where any Information is contained within a Value-added Product, you shall include on such Value-added Product the following notice:

Adapted from Statistics Canada, name of product, reference date. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

Advertising and Publicity

You shall not include on any reproduction of the Information or any material relating to your Value-added Product, or elsewhere:

(a) the name, crest, logos or other insignia or domain names of Statistics Canada or the official symbols of the Government of Canada, including the Canada wordmark, the Coat of Arms of Canada, and the flag symbol, without written authorization from the Treasury Board Secretariat. Request for authorization from the Treasury Board Secretariat may be addressed to:

information@fip-pcim.gc.ca
Federal Identity Program
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R5

(b) any annotation that may be interpreted as an endorsement by the Statistics Canada of the Value-added Product or that would imply that you have an exclusive distribution arrangement for any or all of the Information or that you have access to any confidential information or information not available to others.

No Warranty and no Liability

The Information is licensed 'as is', and Statistics Canada makes no representations or warranties whatsoever with respect to the Information, whether express or implied, in relation to the Information and expressly disclaims any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose of the Information.

Statistics Canada or any of its Ministers, officials, servants, employees, agents, successors and assigns shall not be liable for any errors or omissions in the Information and shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other loss, injury or damage, however caused, that you may suffer at any time by reason of your possession, access to or use of the Information or arising out of the exercise of your rights or the fulfilment of your obligations under this licence.

Term

This licence is effective as of the date and time you access the Information and shall terminate automatically if you breach any of the terms of this licence.

Notwithstanding termination of this licence:

  1. you may continue to distribute Value-added Products for the purpose of completing orders made before the termination of this licence provided you comply with the requirements set out in the Acknowledgment of Source clause; and
  2. individuals or entities who have received Value-added Products or reproductions of the Information from you pursuant to this licence will not have their licences terminated provided they remain in full compliance with those licences.

Survival

All obligations which expressly or by their nature survive termination of this licence shall continue in full force and effect. For greater clarity, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following provisions survive expiration or termination of this licence: Acknowledgment of Source, and No warranty and no Liability.

Applicable Law

This licence is governed by the laws of the province of Ontario and applicable laws of Canada. Legal proceedings related to this licence may only be brought in the courts of Ontario or the Federal Court of Canada.

Affirmation

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the terms and conditions under the Statistics Canada Open Data Licence and I agree to abide by them.

  • Licence Administrator (please print)
  • Academic Institution
  • Date

PUMF Program Subscription Form

PUMF Program Subscription Form – Membership Agreement (PDF, 315.75 KB)

Between His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, having been designated as the Minister for the purposes of the Statistics Act (referred to herein as "Statistics Canada"),

And:

  • Name of the other party,
  • Hereinafter called the "Licensee"

Whereas His Majesty the King in Right of Canada is the lawful owner of the Public Use Microdata Files to be licensed;

And whereas the Licensee wishes to use the Public Use Microdata Files;

Now therefore the Parties agree as follows:

Definition

1. "Public Use Microdata File" means a non-identifiable data set containing characteristics pertaining to surveyed units as described in section 2.

Description of product

2. This agreement relates to the Public Use Microdata File Collection (hereinafter called the "Collection"). The Collection contains Public Use Microdata Files released by Statistics Canada and related documentation for surveys as defined on the collection portal of the Statistics Canada website at Public Use Microdata File Collection.

Contact and custodian

3. (1) The Licensee hereby nominates [person] as the contact person to whom all further communication shall be addressed on any matter concerning this agreement; and as the designated custodian of the Collection with responsibility for ensuring its proper use and custody pursuant to the terms of this agreement.

(2) The contact information for the contact person and custodian referred to in subsection (1) may be advertised on the Collection page of the Statistics Canada website at Public Use Microdata File Collection.

Effective date and term

4. This Agreement comes into force when signed by both Parties and shall continue for an initial term ending March 31, [year]. Thereafter, the term shall be automatically extended for succeeding periods of one (1) year, unless terminated in accordance herewith.

Payment

5. (1) The Licensee agrees to pay an annual service fee of $10,000 to access the Collection. The first payment will be due to Statistics Canada on signing of this agreement. Subsequent payments will be made at the latest thirty (90) days after the expiration of the previous term (April –June).

(2) The following methods of payment are accepted; Cheque / Money Order (non-federal clients); Credit Card (MasterCard), (Visa) or (American Express) (non-federal clients); Federal Government of Canada Interdepartmental Settlement (federal clients); Direct Deposit (non-federal clients) or Bill Payment service (BPS) with Canadian bank Institutions).

(3) All cheque payments shall be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada and sent to:

Statistics Canada
Finance, 6th Floor, RH Coats Building
100 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

Delivery

6. Upon execution of this agreement and payment of the annual service fee prescribed in Section 5, Statistics Canada shall provide the Licensee with password access to the Collection and related documentation.

Use of microdata

7. The Use of the Microdata is governed by Statistics Canada Open Licence, see: Statistics Canada Open Licence. For any questions regarding the Statistics Canada Open Licence see: Statistics Canada Open Licence FAQs.

Termination

8. (1) Statistics Canada will terminate this agreement automatically and access to the Collection will be revoked if the Licensee fails to comply with any of the terms of this agreement.

(2) Either party may terminate this agreement, without cause, by providing 10 days written notice. The termination shall become effective and access to the Collection will be revoked at the date mutually agreed to by both parties.

(3) Where this Agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection (1), the Licensee shall immediately take measures to terminate all use of the Collection by its users, destroy all copies of the data and related documentation and certify this destruction in writing to Statistics Canada.

Notices

9. Any notice to be given to Statistics Canada or the Licensee shall be sent to statcan.dadpumf-dadfmgd.statcan@canada.ca.

Amendment

10. No amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless it is reduced to writing and signed by the Parties hereto.

Entire Agreement

11. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Statistics Canada and the Licensee with respect to Licensee's right to use the Collection.

Appropriate law

12. This Agreement shall be governed and construed, in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable herein.

Approved by:

  • Signature
  • Date

Chief, Data Access Division

And By:

  • Name of Institution
  • Print name of authorized representative
  • Signature
  • Date
  • Name of Institution
  • Address
  • Institution's IP Range and/or Proxy Range
  • Subscription Start Date

Licence Administrator:

  • Name
  • Title
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Contact:

  • Name
  • Title
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Alternate:

  • Name
  • Title
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Repair and Maintenance Services: CVs for operating revenue - 2019

CVs for operating revenue - 2019
Table summary
This table displays the results of CVs for operating revenue - 2019. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), CVs for operating revenue, Automotive repair and maintenance and Electronic, commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Geography Automotive repair and maintenance  Electronic, commercial and industrial machinery and equipment repair and maintenance
percent
Canada 0.91 1.73
Newfoundland and Labrador 3.56 1.57
Prince Edward Island 1.95 3.80
Nova Scotia 1.95 2.59
New Brunswick 0.59 1.55
Quebec 2.70 4.36
Ontario 1.73 4.83
Manitoba 1.46 4.83
Saskatchewan 2.00 5.23
Alberta 0.89 2.68
British Columbia 2.04 2.95
Yukon 0.61 0.47
Northwest Territories 0.00 0.00
Nunavut 0.00 50.29

2021 Census: 3A

Message from the Chief Statistician of Canada

Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate in the 2021 Census. The information you provide is converted into statistics used by communities, businesses and governments to plan services and make informed decisions about employment, education, health care, market development and more.

Your answers are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act and kept strictly confidential. By law, every person must complete a 2021 Census of Population questionnaire.

Statistics Canada makes use of existing sources of information such as immigration, income tax and benefits data to ensure the least amount of burden is placed on households.

The information that you provide may be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes or may be combined with other survey or administrative data sources.

Make sure you count yourself into Canada's statistical portrait, and complete your census questionnaire today.

Thank you,

Anil Arora
Chief Statistician of Canada

Complete your census questionnaire:

  • Please print using CAPITAL LETTERS.
  • Mark circles with "X".

Any questions?

  • www.census.gc.ca
  • Call us free of charge at 1-855-340-2021
  • TTY: 1-833-830-3109

Français au verso

Confidential when completed

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19.

Step A

1. What is your telephone number?

  • Number, Ext.

2. What is the address where you received this questionnaire?

  • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
    (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
  • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
  • Apartment/unit/room
  • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
  • Province/territory
  • Postal code

3. What is the mailing address of this dwelling, if different from above?
(e.g., Rural Route, PO Box, General Delivery)

Step B

1. What is your name?

  • Family name(s)
  • Given name(s)

Step C

The following questions refer to your situation on May 11, 2021.

If you are:

  • a Canadian citizen
    • Continue with step D
  • a landed immigrant (permanent resident)
    • Continue with step D
  • a person who has claimed refugee status (asylum seeker) in Canada
    • Continue with step D
  • a person from another country with a work or study permit
    • Continue with step D

If you are:

  • a resident of another country visiting Canada, for example, on vacation or on a business trip
    • Mark "X" the circle
      STOP HERE and see instructions in Step E on page 6.
  • a government representative of another country
    • Mark "X" the circle
      STOP HERE and see instructions in Step E on page 6.

Step D

Is this your main residence?

  • Yes
    • Continue with question 1 a) on the next page
  • No, but I have no other residence in Canada
    • Continue with question 1 a) on the next page
  • No, it is somewhere else in Canada
    • Specify complete address
      • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
        (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
      • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
      • Apartment/unit/room
      • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
      • Province/territory
      • Postal code
      • Telephone number

      STOP HERE.
      You should be included on the household questionnaire for the above address.
      See instructions in Step E on page 6.

1. a) Is there any other address in Canada where someone may include you on the census form for that household?

    For example, at the home of a parent, relative or friend, or a place where you live while working, or a vacation home.

    • No
      • Go to question 2
    • Yes
      • Specify complete address
        • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
          (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
        • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
        • Apartment/unit
        • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
        • Province/territory
        • Postal code
        • Telephone number

    1. b) Please give the name of another adult (if any) living at this other address.

    • Family name(s)
    • Given name(s)
    • No other adult

    2. What was your sex at birth?

    Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.

    • Male
    • Female

    3. What is your gender?

    Refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

    • Male
    • Female
    • Or please specify your gender:

    4. What are your date of birth and age?

    If exact date of birth is not known, enter best estimate. For children less than 1 year old, enter 0 for age.

    • Day
    • Month
    • Year
    • Age

    5. What is your marital status?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Never legally married
    • Legally married (and not separated)
    • Separated, but still legally married
    • Divorced
    • Widowed

    6. Are you living with a common-law partner?

    Common-law refers to two people who live together as a couple but who are not married, regardless of the duration of the relationship.

    • Yes
    • No

    7. What is your status here (at the address you entered on the front cover)?

    Mark “x” or specify one response only.

    • Resident under care or custody (e.g., patient, inmate)
    • Roommate, lodger or boarder
    • Employee
    • Employee’s family member
    • Other status — specify:

    8. Can you speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • English only
    • French only
    • Both English and French
    • Neither English nor French

    9. a) What language(s) do you speak on a regular basis at home?

    • English
    • French
    • Other language(s) — specify:

    If you indicate only one language in question 9. a), go to question 10.

    9. b) Of these languages, which one do you speak most often at home?

    Indicate more than one language only if they are spoken equally at home.

    • English
    • French
    • Other language — specify:

    10. What is the language that you first learned at home in childhood and still understand?

    If you no longer understand the first language learned, indicate the second language learned.

    • English
    • French
    • Other language — specify:

    11. Have you ever served in the Canadian military?

    Canadian military service includes service with the Regular Force or Primary Reserve Force as an Officer or Non-Commissioned Member. It does not include service with the Cadets (COATS), the Supplementary Reserve or the Canadian Rangers.

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Yes, currently serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
    • Yes, but no longer serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
    • No

    The following questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

    12. Is this dwelling located in Quebec?

    • No
      • Continue with question 13.
    • Yes
      • Go to question 16.

    13. Did you do any of your primary or secondary schooling in French in Canada (including immersion)?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Yes (previously or currently attending)
    • No
      • Go to Step E

    14. In which type of program was this schooling in French done?

    • A regular French program in a French-language school
    • A French immersion program in an English-language school
      • Go to Step E
    • Both types of programs
    • Other program — specify:

    15. For how many years did you attend a regular French program in a French-language school?

    • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten and middle school)
      • Number of years
        • Go to Step E
    • Number of years in secondary schooling
      • Number of years
        • Go to Step E

    16. Did you do any of your primary or secondary schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

    Mark "x" one circle only.

    • Yes (previously or currently attending)
    • No
      • Go to Step E

    17. For how many years did you do your schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

    • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten)
      • Number of years
    • Number of years in secondary schooling
      • Number of years

    Step E

    You have now completed your questionnaire.

    Please see instructions on the envelope.

    Thank you for your cooperation.

      The law protects what you tell us

      The confidentiality of your responses is protected by law. All Statistics Canada employees have taken an oath of secrecy. Your personal information cannot be given to anyone outside Statistics Canada without your consent. This is your right.

      Reasons why we ask the questions

      Steps A to D and question 1 are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.

      Questions 2 to 7 provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.

      Questions 8 to 10 are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.

      Question 11 provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.

      Questions 12 to 17 collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

      Comments

      Please use the space provided below if you have concerns, suggestions or comments to make about:

      • the steps to follow or the content of this questionnaire (for example, a question that was difficult to understand or to answer)
      • the characteristics of the questionnaire (for example, the design, the format, the size of the text).

      2021 Census: 2C

      Message from the Chief Statistician of Canada

      Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate in the 2021 Census. The information you provide is converted into statistics used by communities, businesses and governments to plan services and make informed decisions about employment, education, health care, market development and more.

      Your answers are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act and kept strictly confidential. By law, every person must complete a 2021 Census of Population questionnaire.

      Statistics Canada makes use of existing sources of information such as immigration, income tax and benefits data to ensure the least amount of burden is placed on households.

      The information that you provide may be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes or may be combined with other survey or administrative data sources.

      To ensure confidentiality, put your completed questionnaire in the envelope provided and seal it. Return the envelope in accordance with the instructions given by your unit or department. Only Statistics Canada staff will open the envelopes.

      Make sure you count yourself into Canada's statistical portrait, and complete your census questionnaire today.

      Thank you,

      Anil Arora
      Chief Statistician of Canada

      Any questions?

      Visit www.census.gc.ca

      Ce questionnaire est disponible en français

      • Please print using CAPITAL LETTERS.
      • Mark circles with an "X".

      Confidential when completed

      This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19.

      Step A

      1. Do you have a permanent place of residence in Canada presently occupied by one or more members of your family?

      • Yes
        • What is the address of your permanent place of residence?
          • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
            (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
          • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
          • Apartment/unit
          • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
          • Province/territory
          • Postal code
          • Telephone number
          • Enter the name of an adult living at this address.
            • Family name(s)
            • Given names(s)
      • No
        • What is the address you give for election purposes?
          If you have no such address, enter your last permanent address in Canada.
          • Number (and suffix, if applicable)
            (e.g., 302, 151 B, 16 1/2)
          • Street name, street type (e.g., DR = Drive), direction (e.g., N = North)
          • Apartment/unit
          • City, municipality, town, village, Indian reserve
          • Province/territory
          • Postal code
          • Telephone number

      2. Enter the name and address of the military or government establishment outside Canada to which you are presently attached or, if none, the city or town and the country in which you reside.

      • Name of establishment
      • Location — City or town
      • Country

      Step B

      1. Including yourself, how many persons usually live at your address (outside Canada) as of May 11, 2021?

      Include: all persons who have their main residence at this address, even if they are temporarily away, provided they are:

      • Canadian government employees (federal, provincial and territorial) or a member of their family OR members of the Canadian Armed Forces or a member of their family who are stationed outside Canada,
      • other Canadian citizens OR persons with Canadian landed immigrant status who are outside Canada on Census Day, but whose permanent residence is in Canada.
      • Number of persons

      2. Including yourself, list all persons who usually live at your address (outside Canada).

      Important: Begin the list with an adult followed, if applicable, by that person's spouse or common-law partner and by their children. Continue with all other persons who usually live at this address.

      • Person 1: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 2: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 3: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 4: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 5: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 6: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 7: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 8: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 9: Family name(s), Given name(s)
      • Person 10: Family name(s), Given name(s)

      Step C

      Copy the names in Step B to question 1, at the top of page 4.

      Keep the same order.

      If more than six persons live at your address (outside Canada), you will need an extra questionnaire. A second questionnaire may be obtained from the representative or official who delivered this one.

      1. Name

      In the spaces provided, copy the names in the same order as in Step B. Then answer the following questions for each person.

      Person 1

      • Family name
      • Given name

      The following questions refer to each person's situation on May 11, 2021, unless otherwise specified.

      2. What was this person's sex at birth?

      Sex refers to sex assigned at birth.

      • Male
      • Female

      3. What is this person's gender?

      Refers to current gender which may be different from sex assigned at birth and may be different from what is indicated on legal documents.

      • Male
      • Female
      • Or please specify this person's gender:

      4. What are this person's date of birth and age?

      If exact date of birth is not known, enter best estimate. For children less than 1 year old, enter 0 for age.

      • Day
      • Month
      • Year
      • Age

      5. What is this person's marital status?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Never legally married
      • Legally married (and not separated)
      • Separated, but still legally married
      • Divorced
      • Widowed

      6. Is this person living with a common-law partner?

      Common-law refers to two people who live together as a couple but who are not married, regardless of the duration of the relationship.

      • Yes
      • No

      7. What is the relationship of this person to Person 1?

      If none of the responses in the list describes this person's relationship to Person 1, then specify a response under "Other relationship".

      Person 1

      • Person 1

      Person 2

      • Husband or wife of Person 1
      • Common-law partner of Person 1
      • Son or daughter of Person 1 only
      • Grandchild of Person 1
      • Son-in-law or daughter-in-law of Person 1
      • Father or mother of Person 1
      • Father-in-law or mother-in-law of Person 1
      • Brother or sister of Person 1
      • Foster child
      • Roommate, lodger or boarder
      • Other relationship — specify:

      Persons 3-6

      • Son or daughter of both Persons 1 and 2
      • Son or daughter of Person 1 only
      • Son or daughter of Person 2 only
      • Grandchild of Person 1
      • Son-in-law or daughter-in-law of Person 1
      • Father or mother of Person 1
      • Father-in-law or mother-in-law of Person 1
      • Brother or sister of Person 1
      • Foster child
      • Roommate, lodger or boarder
      • Other relationship — specify:

      8. Can this person speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • English only
      • French only
      • Both English and French
      • Neither English nor French

      9. a) What language(s) does this person speak on a regular basis at home?

      • English
      • French
      • Other language(s) — specify:

      If this person indicates only one language in question 9. a), go to question 10.

      9. b) Of these languages, which one does this person speak most often at home?

      Indicate more than one language only if they are spoken equally at home.

      • English
      • French
      • Other language — specify:

      10. What is the language that this person first learned at home in childhood and still understands?

      If this person no longer understands the first language learned, indicate the second language learned.

      • English
      • French
      • Other language — specify:

      11. Has this person ever served in the Canadian military?

      Canadian military service includes service with the Regular Force or Primary Reserve Force as an Officer or Non-Commissioned Member. It does not include service with the Cadets (COATS), the Supplementary Reserve or the Canadian Rangers.

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Yes, currently serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
      • Yes, but no longer serving in the Regular Force or the Primary Reserve Force
      • No

      The following questions collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

      12. Is the address in Canada you provided in Step A, question 1, located in Quebec?

      • No
        • Continue with question 13.
      • Yes
        • Go to question 16.

      13. Did this person do any of their primary or secondary schooling in French in Canada (including immersion)?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Yes (previously or currently attending)
      • No
        • Go to Step D

      14. In which type of program was this schooling in French done?

      • A regular French program in a French-language school
      • A French immersion program in an English-language school
        • Go to Step D
      • Both types of programs
      • Other program — specify:

      15. For how many years did this person attend a regular French program in a French-language school?

      • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten and middle school)
        • Number of years
          • Go to Step D
      • Number of years in secondary schooling
        • Number of years
          • Go to Step D

      16. Did this person do any of their primary or secondary schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

      Mark "x" one circle only.

      • Yes (previously or currently attending)
      • No
        • Go to Step D

      17. For how many years did this person do their schooling in an English-language school in Canada (including immersion)?

      • Number of years in primary schooling (including kindergarten)
        • Number of years
      • Number of years in secondary schooling
        • Number of years

      Step D

      Comments

      Please use the space provided below if you have concerns, suggestions or comments to make about:

      • the steps to follow or the content of this questionnaire (for example, a question that was difficult to understand or to answer)
      • the characteristics of the questionnaire (for example, the design, the format, the size of the text).

      Step E

      If more than six persons live at your address (outside Canada), you will need an extra questionnaire. A second questionnaire may be obtained from the representative or official who delivered this one.

      You have now completed your questionnaire. Please return it in accordance with instructions from your unit or department.

      Thank you for your cooperation.

      Reasons why we ask the questions

      Steps A and B and question 1 are used to collect contact information and determine who should be included on the questionnaire. They help us ensure that we have counted everyone we need to count and that no one is counted twice.

      Questions 2 to 7 provide information about the living arrangements of people in Canada, the family size, the number of children living with one parent or two parents, and the number of people who live alone. This information is used for planning social programs, such as Old Age Security and the Canada Child Benefit. It is also used by municipalities to plan a variety of services such as day care centres, schools, police, fire protection and residences for seniors.

      Questions 8 to 10 are used to provide a profile of the linguistic diversity of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the need for services in English and French, and to better understand the current state and the evolution of Canada's various language groups.

      Question 11 provides information on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services to meet the changing needs of the Veteran population.

      Questions 12 to 17 collect information in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to support education programs in English and French in Canada.

        The law protects what you tell us

        The confidentiality of your responses is protected by law. All Statistics Canada employees have taken an oath of secrecy. Your personal information cannot be given to anyone outside Statistics Canada without your consent. This is your right.

        Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS) - Privacy impact assessment summary

        Introduction

        Statistics Canada is conducting the Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS) from November 2020 to March 2021. This survey collects health data on the current COVID-19 pandemic by asking selected participants to complete an electronic questionnaire and provide a blood sample from a self-administered finger prick (dried blood spot sample). This voluntary survey will be sent to approximately 48,000 Canadians, aged 1 and over, across the provinces and territories. It is expected that approximately 20,000 respondents will complete the entire survey (questionnaire and blood sample).

        All processes of the CCAHS have been reviewed and approved by the Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada Research Ethics Board to ensure that internationally recognized ethical standards for human research are met and maintained.

        Objective

        A privacy impact assessment for the CCAHS was conducted to determine if there were any privacy, confidentiality or security issues with this survey and to make recommendations to resolve or mitigate any issues.

        Description

        This survey was developed in consultation with the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF). The CITF is funded by the Government of Canada and is composed of members from various domains, including universities, hospitals and the public health sector. The CITF was created to support the development and implementation of population-based serological studies (using blood tests) on the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to better understand the impact of the pandemic in Canada.

        Results from this survey will provide important information on the health status of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an estimate of the prevalence of infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This survey will also provide a platform to explore new measurement techniques, as this is the first time that self-administered blood samples are being collected from a nationally-representative sample of Canadians.

        Risk Area Identification and Categorization

        The PIA identifies the level of potential risk (level 1 is the lowest level of potential risk and level 4 is the highest) associated with the following risk areas:

        Risk Area Identification and Categorization
          Risk scale

        a) Type of program or activity

        Program or activity that does not involve a decision about an identifiable individual.

        1

        b) Type of personal information involved and context

        Sensitive personal information, including detailed profiles, allegations or suspicions and bodily samples, or the context surrounding the personal information is particularly sensitive.

        4

        c) Program or activity partners and private sector involvement

        Private sector organizations, international organizations or foreign governments

        4

        d) Duration of the program or activity

        One-time program or activity

        1

        e) Program population

        The program's use of personal information is not for administrative purposes. Information is collected for statistical purposes, under the authority of the Statistics Act.

        N/A

        f) Personal information transmission

        The personal information is transmitted using wireless technologies.

        4

        g) Technology and privacy

        The CCAHS does not require the implementation of new technology or modifications to legacy systems to support the creation, collection or handling of personal information.

        h) Potential risk that in the event of a privacy breach, there will be an impact on the individual or employee.

        There is a very low risk for a breach of any personal information being disclosed without proper authorization. The impact on the individual would be high, as it could negatively affect their reputation because of the stigmatization related to certain health conditions or illnesses.

        Conclusion

        This assessment of the CCAHS did not identify any privacy risks that cannot be managed using existing Statistics Canada safeguards and procedures, as well as those in place at the various laboratories being used. Any remaining risks are either negligible or are such that Statistics Canada is prepared to accept and manage.