Additional information about this table is available in the Dimension Summary Box of the 'Selected demographic, cultural, labour force, educational and income characteristics (218)' variable.

Note: Data Quality - Relationship of Census Income Estimates to the National Accounts and Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics

Census income estimates of aggregate income in 2005 were compared to similar personal income estimates from the national accounts. After adjustments to the personal income estimates for differences in concepts and coverage, the census estimate of aggregate income in 2005 from comparable sources was 1.2% lower than the national accounts estimate. As in the past, census estimates for some income components and for some provinces compared more favourably than for others.

Census estimates of aggregate wages and salaries, the largest component of income, were slightly higher (1.0%) than the national accounts estimates. This was partially offset by the difference (-7.8%) between the census estimates of aggregate self-employment income from both farm and non-farm self-employment and the adjusted national accounts figures. Overall, estimates of aggregate employment income or earnings were nearly identical (0.3% difference).

Census estimates of Old Age Security pensions and the Guaranteed Income Supplement were slightly lower (-1.4%), as they were for Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits (-0.9%), than adjusted national accounts estimates. Employment Insurance benefits reported in the census were smaller by 6.1%. Census estimates of aggregate child benefits were 2.0% higher than the adjusted national accounts estimates. Census estimates of other government transfer payments, which include such items as social welfare benefits, provincial income supplements to seniors, veterans' pensions and GST/HST/QST refunds, were significantly below (-39.2%) the estimates from the national accounts. Overall, census estimates of aggregate income from all government transfer payments were lower by 12.0%. The census estimate of aggregate investment income in 2005 was slightly lower (-2.7%) than the comparable national accounts estimate. This is a significant improvement when compared to previous census comparisons.

Census income statistics were also compared with similar statistics from the annual Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). SLID estimates reflect adjustments made for population undercoverage, while census estimates do not include such an adjustment. This adjustment contributes to census estimates showing fewer income recipients (-2.1%) and earners (-1.4%) than SLID estimates. However, due to higher average amounts, census estimates of aggregate earnings are 2.8% higher than the SLID estimate, while the census estimate of aggregate total income of individuals is 2.3% higher. Most of the observed provincial differences were considered acceptable in the light of sampling errors in the Survey. The all-person low income prevalence rates for Canada (excluding the Territories) were almost identical in both sources for the before-tax measure at 15.3% and only slightly higher (0.6 percentage points) in census than SLID for the after-tax rate.

Note: Broad occupational category A - Management occupations

Census data for occupation groups in Broad occupational category A - Management occupations should be used with caution. Some coding errors were made in assigning the appropriate level of management, e.g., senior manager as opposed to middle manager, and in determining the appropriate area of specialization or activity, e.g., a manager of a health care program in a hospital as opposed to a government manager in health policy administration. Some non-management occupations have also been miscoded to management due to confusion over titles such as program manager and project manager. Data users may wish to use data for management occupations in conjunction with other variables such as Income, Age and Education.

Note: Consistency of earnings and labour estimates

Changes to the collection methodology for income data and to the editing procedures create an apparent inconsistency for more records in 2006 compared to 2001. For example, a larger amount of full-year, full-time workers (or part-year workers) are without reported earnings. There are also more persons with earnings that do not report work activity during the previous calendar year.

These impacts are also visible for wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.

For more information, please consult the Income and Earnings Reference Guide, 2006 Census, Catalogue no. 97-563-GWE2006003.

Note: Data on knowledge of official languages

According to studies on data certification, the 2006 Census statistics on knowledge of official languages could underestimate the category 'English and French' and overestimate the category 'French only,' particularly for the francophone population and, therefore, for the whole population. More information on the subject is available in the Languages Reference Guide, 2006 Census, Catalogue no. 97-555-GWE2006003.

Note: Income Data for Seniors in Collective Dwellings

In the 2006 Census, individuals who resided in institutions or residences with distinct, separate living quarters, and who were able to complete the census questionnaire, received their own census form to complete. These individuals were excluded from measurements of income in prior censuses. This census their incomes have been set to zero. This results in a slight overestimation in the count of population 15 years and over, and primarily the age group 65 years and over, without income (or without earnings). Counts and income statistics for families or persons not in families are not affected, as individuals in these types of collective dwellings have always, and continue to be excluded from those populations.

Note: Income suppression

Area suppression is the deletion of all characteristic data for geographic areas with populations below a specified size. Income distributions and related statistics are suppressed if the population in the area, excluding institutional residents, is less than 250 from either the 100% or the 20% database, or if the number of private households is less than 40 from the 20% database.

Tables with income, after-tax income or earnings distributions

Income, after-tax income and earnings distributions have been suppressed where the estimated total number of units (persons, families or households) in the reference year is less than 250. All suppressed cells and associated averages, medians and standard errors of average income, average after-tax income or average earnings have been replaced with zeroes or symbols.

In all cases, suppressed data are included in the appropriate higher aggregate subtotals and totals.

Tables with number and median or average income, after-tax income or earnings

Statistics have been suppressed if the estimated total number of persons (males, females or both sexes) with income, after-tax income or earnings in the reference year is less than 250 persons. All suppressed counts and associated averages and medians have been replaced by zeroes or symbols.

In all cases, suppressed data are included in the appropriate higher aggregate subtotals and totals.

Note: Institutional residents

People in seniors' residences in the 2006 Census are classified as 'not living in an institution'. This is a change from the 2001 Census where they were classified as institutional residents, specifically, 'living in an institution, resident under care or custody'.

Note: Labour force growth for the Northwest Territories

Care should be exercised in comparing the Northwest Territories 2006 Census population counts with those from the 2001 Census. In 2001, the net undercount for the Northwest Territories was estimated at 8.11%, substantially higher than the national level of 2.99%, and almost double its 1996 level. The increase in the labour force, the employed, unemployed and not in the labour force populations between 2001 and 2006 is likely overstated due to improvements in coverage of the Northwest Territories in 2006.

Note: Major field of study - Classification of instructional programs - (CIP), Canada, 2000

For the first time with the 2006 Census, major field of study data were coded with the Classification of Instructional Programs - (CIP), Canada, 2000.

Prior to the 2006 Census, the Major Field of Study Classification (MFS) was used to classify major field of study. We recommend users not make historical comparisons between the two classification systems. Even though some entries in the two classifications are similar, direct comparison would be inappropriate given the much more detailed character of the new classification.

A theoretical concordance table between the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) and the Major Field of Study Classification (MFS) showing the definitional relationship between the two classifications was developed. This table is available in the 2006 Census Dictionary (Appendix N). This type of concordance allows users to see the relationship between the two classes of systems based on the definitional aspects of each system. However, users are cautioned that this type of concordance can not be used to convert counts from one classification system to another.

Note: Mobility status (1 year ago) universe

The 'Mobility status (1 year ago)' universe includes persons 1 year of age and over residing in Canada, excluding institutional residents and Canadians (military and government personnel of Canada) in households outside Canada. For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Catalogue number 92-566-XWE.

Note: Mobility status (5 years ago) universe

The 'Mobility status (5 years ago)' universe includes persons 5 years of age and over residing in Canada, excluding institutional residents and Canadians (military and government personnel of Canada) in households outside Canada. For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Catalogue number 92-566-XWE.