Classification of persons according to whether or not they are members of a census family and the status they have in the census family (a census family is composed of a married couple or two persons living common-law, with or without children, or of a lone parent living with at least one child in the same dwelling). A person can be a married spouse, a common-law partner, a lone parent, a child or a person not in a census family.

Refers to the classification of the population according to whether or not the persons are members of a census family. (See Figure 1.3.)

Census family persons refer to household members who belong to a census family.

Census family persons can be further classified into one of the following four categories:

(a) Married spouses

Two persons of opposite sex or of the same sex who are legally married to each other and living in the same dwelling.

(b) Common-law partners

Two persons of opposite sex or of the same sex who are not legally married to each other, but live together as a couple in the same dwelling.

(c) Lone parents

Mothers or fathers, with no married spouse or common-law partner present, living in a dwelling with one or more children.

(d) Children

Blood, step or adopted sons and daughters (regardless of age or marital status) who are living in the same dwelling as their parent(s), as well as grandchildren in households where there are no parents present. Sons and daughters who are living with their married spouse or common-law partner, or with one or more of their own children, are not considered to be members of the census family of their parent(s), even if they are living in the same dwelling. In addition, those sons and daughters who do not live in the same dwelling as their parent(s) are not considered members of the census family of their parent(s).

Persons not in census families refer to household members who do not belong to a census family.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question no.: Derived variable: Questions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Responses: Not applicable

Remarks: Census family status is used when detail is required for persons who are part of a census family.

Common-law partners may be of any marital status other than 'Legally married (and not separated).'

Refers to the number of children in private households by age groups.

Refers to the number of children in private households by age groups. To be included, children must live in the same household as the family, without a married spouse, common-law partner or one or more of their children living in the same household. In a census family, they may be children by birth, marriage or adoption. In an economic family, foster children are also included.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question no.: Derived variable

Responses: Not applicable

Remarks: 'Children' refers to blood, step or adopted sons and daughters (regardless of age) who are living in the same dwelling as their parent(s), as well as to grandchildren in households where there are no parents present. Sons and daughters who are living with their married spouse or common-law partner, or with one or more of their own sons and/or daughters, are not considered to be members of the census family of their parent(s), even if they are living in the same dwelling. In addition, sons and daughters who do not live in the same dwelling as their parent(s) are not considered members of the census family of their parent(s).

Not applicable

'Aboriginal identity' refers to whether the person reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North
American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or being a Registered or Treaty Indian (that is, registered under the
Indian Act of Canada) and/or being a member of a First Nation or Indian band. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are
defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question nos.: Derived variable: Questions 18, 20 and 21

Responses: Aboriginal identity is derived from data collected in three questions: Aboriginal group (Question 18); Registered or Treaty Indian status (Question 20); and Membership in a First Nation or Indian band (Question 21). In Question 18, respondents could respond 'Yes, First Nations (North American Indian),' 'Yes, Métis,' 'Yes, Inuk (Inuit)' or 'No, not an Aboriginal person' by checking off the appropriate mark-in circle. In Question 20, respondents could respond 'No' or 'Yes, Status Indian (Registered or Treaty).' In Question 21, respondents could respond 'No' or 'Yes, member of a First Nation/Indian band'.

The resulting standard classifications are described in the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011. One classification is as follows:

Total population - Aboriginal identity

  Aboriginal identity

    Aboriginal single identity

      First Nations (North American Indian) single identity

      Métis single identity

      Inuk (Inuit) single identity

    Aboriginal multiple identities

    Aboriginal identities not included elsewhere

  Non-Aboriginal identity


Remarks: Aboriginal identity is a derived variable. For more information on the input variables for the Aboriginal identity variable in the 2011 National Household Survey, refer to the definitions for Aboriginal group, Registered or Treaty Indian status and Membership in a First Nation or Indian band.

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.