Families Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2016

Release date: August 2, 2017

Definitions and concepts

The Families topic includes concepts such as marital status, family structure and household living arrangements, that is, whether individuals live alone or with other related or unrelated persons. Family-related characteristics and concepts can apply to families, individuals (those in families or not), or households.

Two definitions of families exist, and they complement each other: census family and economic family. The census family is the narrower concept, defined by couples living together, with or without children, and lone parents living with their children. The economic family is broader, and refers to two or more persons living together who are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law union, adoption or a foster relationship. All people in a census family are part of one economic family. If there are additional relatives living with them, those people are also in the economic family. The additional relatives, if two or more, may also be in a census family among themselves, provided they are a couple with or without children or a lone parent with children.

Tabulations of families are based on either the census family structure or economic family structure. Tabulations of family characteristics for individuals use the concepts of census family status, economic family status, or household living arrangements (an extension of census family status).

There are no significant changes in family concepts for 2016.

For more information on these concepts, see the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X including an illustration of the relationship between households, economic families and census families used in the 2016 Census of Population.

Note that parent-child relationships, key to identifying the family status and family structure, are not restricted to sons and daughters below a certain age unless an age limit is explicitly stated. When the family status or structure includes an age limit for children, such as children aged 24 and under, the sons and daughters aged 25 and over become persons not in census families, and they become other relatives in economic families. This in turn affects the number of persons in families and possibly, the number of families. If, however, families are categorized as (1) those with at least one child aged 24 and under or (2) families without children and those with all children aged 25 and over, then the overall number of families will remain the same.

Careful consideration must be accorded to the concept of 'children.' In general, the term 'children' may be used in various analytical products to refer to a dependent population, such as children aged 14 and under or aged 24 and under. Specific definitions of 'children' do exist, however, and the particular usage should be clear from the context of the analysis. For example, 'children' in census families refer 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). In the 2016 Census, 99.1% of the population aged 14 and under living in private households were 'children' in census families, while the remaining 0.9% lived in other arrangements.

Concepts such as 'foster children,' who are considered as 'other relatives' in an economic family, comprise part of the population in private households, but are not considered as 'children' in census families.

One family-related concept at the household level is household type.

Classifications

The concepts and classifications pertaining to marital status, census families and economic families conform to standard definitions set by Statistics Canada for marital status and families.

Questions

Family data for private households are obtained from the combination of questions 2 (sex), 3 (date of birth), 4 (marital status), 5 (common-law status) and 6 (relationship to Person 1). The questions appear on page 4 of the 2A questionnaire. The questions and response categories for 2016 are essentially the same as 2011.

The responses to all these questions are processed together to ensure consistency. In addition, the demographic characteristics of all persons living in the same household are processed together, to ensure consistent relationships between household members.

Data quality

The 2016 Census of Population underwent a thorough data quality assessment, similar to what was done for past censuses. A number of data quality indicators (briefly described below) were produced and used to evaluate the quality of the data.

The data quality assessment was done in addition to the regular quality checks completed at key stages of the census. For example, during data collection and processing, the consistency of the responses provided was checked and the non-response rates for each question were analysed. As well, the quality of imputed responses was assessed as part of the data editing and imputation steps. Finally, resulting census counts were compared with other data sources, and certified for final release.

For information about data quality for the census subdivision of Wood Buffalo, the data collection methodology, and the use of administrative data sources, please refer to Appendix 1.4 of the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

The main highlights of this assessment for the Families data are presented below.

Data quality indicators

A number of quality indicators were produced and analysed during the data quality assessment of the Census of Population. Two of these are presented to users: the global non-response rate (GNR) and the imputation rate by question.

The GNR combines non-response at the household level (or total non-response) and non-response at the question level (partial non-response). It is calculated for each geographic area. The GNR is the key criterion that determines whether or not the census counts are released for a given geographic area – data are suppressed for geographic areas with a GNR equal to or greater than 50%. More information on the GNR is available in the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

The imputation rate by question, including imputation for total non-response, is a quality measurement specific to each question in the census. It measures the percentage of persons who did not answer the question, whose response was invalid, and the percentage of persons who did not return a questionnaire, for which a valid value was assigned. Imputation eliminates gaps in the data and, when done appropriately, reduces bias introduced by non-response. This is done by identifying persons or households that have characteristics similar to the incomplete record and by copying their values to fill in the missing or erroneous responses. The imputation rates by question are presented in Table 1, below.

Table 1
Imputation rates by questions, Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census of Population, 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Imputation rates by questions. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Question, Sex, Age, Marital status, Common-law status and Relationship to Person 1 (appearing as column headers).
Geography Question
Sex Age Marital
status
Common-
law status
Relationship
to Person 1
percent
Canada 2.8 3.1 4.3 5.1 3.2
Newfoundland and Labrador 3.0 3.1 4.0 6.0 3.7
Prince Edward Island 3.1 3.0 4.1 6.1 3.6
Nova Scotia 2.8 2.9 4.1 5.2 3.3
New Brunswick 2.9 3.0 4.0 5.2 3.4
Quebec 2.5 2.6 4.4 4.6 2.7
Ontario 2.5 2.8 3.7 4.9 3.0
Manitoba 3.1 3.3 4.3 5.0 3.3
Saskatchewan 3.5 3.8 5.1 5.4 3.7
Alberta 3.2 3.6 4.8 5.3 4.1
British Columbia 3.5 3.9 4.9 5.7 3.8
Yukon 4.5 6.2 7.0 6.6 4.9
Northwest Territories 7.2 8.2 7.9 8.3 7.4
Nunavut 8.3 10.7 8.6 8.9 9.2

Certification of final counts

Once data processing, editing and imputation were completed, the data were tabulated to represent the total Canadian population. Certification of the final counts was the last step in the validation process leading to recommendation for release of the data for each geography and domain of interest. Based on the analysis of data quality indicators and the comparison of the Census counts with other data sources, the recommendation is for unconditional release, conditional release or non-release for quality reasons. In the case of conditional release or non-release, appropriate notes and warnings are included in this guide. Several data sources were used to evaluate the Census counts. However, since the risk of error often increases for lower levels of geography and for smaller populations, and the data sources used to evaluate these counts are less reliable (or not available) at these lower levels, it can be difficult to certify the counts at these levels.

Census counts are also subject to confidentiality rules that ensure non-disclosure of individual respondent identity and characteristics. For more information on Census confidentiality rules, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

Comparability

Users of family-related information from the census, use the data in conjunction with previous cycles of the census, and against other comparable data. Comparability is affected by differences in survey target populations, survey sampling and collection methodologies; question wording, format, examples and instructions; approaches to data processing; the social and political climate at the time of data collection, and other factors.  

Comparability of data over time

All trend analyses presented for this release, and its accompanying products, compare 2016 data to previous census data. An evaluation of the data by Demography Division indicates that these data are comparable to those of the previous census cycles.

Some concepts have changed over time, therefore, when attempting to make historical comparison, it is important to refer to the census definitions for the census year in question. In some cases, users should aggregate selected categories prior to making historical comparisons.

The method used for deriving data on individuals living with parents or grand-parents present in the household was modified slightly in 2016. The method used in 2016 is more inclusive than those used in the past. Prior to 2016, a small number of parents and grand-parents, who were not related to Person 1, were not taken into account. This had minimal impact on the data. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the 2016 Census tables be used to make historical comparisons.

The method for determining the economic family reference person was modified slightly in 2016. Prior to 2016, the order of persons in the questionnaire was the main determinant of the reference person in the economic family. The reordering of persons within the household during data processing was another factor. In 2016, the reference person is always a census family reference person within the economic family (where applicable). This better reflects the situation within the household.

Table 2 compares the structure of economic families by applying the method used in 2016 and the method used in 2011 to the 2011 Census data.

Table 2
Economic families in private households, derived by means of the 2016 method and the 2011 method, Canada, Census of Population, 2011
Table summary
This table displays the results of Economic families in private households. The information is grouped by Economic family structure (appearing as row headers), 2016 method and 2011 method (appearing as column headers).
Economic family structure 2016 method 2011 method
Total 9,272,595 9,272,595
Couple economic families 7,731,895 7,682,185
Couple economic families without children or other relatives 3,477,640 3,477,640
Couple economic families with children 4,126,460 4,114,930
Couple economic families with other relatives only 127,795 89,615
Lone-parent economic families 1,406,200 1,364,650
Male lone-parent economic families 298,720 287,435
Female lone-parent economic families 1,107,485 1,077,215
Other economic families 134,495 225,760

Table 2 shows that the change in method shifted some families from the "Other economic families" category to categories that better reflect the household’s actual situation.

The 2011 Census of Population introduced for the first time a specific response on household relationships to determine the number of same-sex married couples. Analysis of the data on same-sex married couples had shown that there may have been an overestimation of this family type. In total, there were 64,575 same-sex couples in Canada in 2011, of which 21,015 were married. The range of overestimation of same-sex married couples at the national level was estimated to be between 0 and 4,500.

In 2016, the method used to process family data was modified to prevent the potential overestimation of same-sex couples. Table 3 compares the 2011 Census data on same-sex couples when we apply the 2016 method and the 2011 method:

Table 3
Number of same-sex couples enumerated in private households in the 2011 Census, according to the 2016 and 2011 methods, Canada, provinces and territories
Table summary
This table displays the results of Number of same-sex couples enumerated in private households in the 2011 Census. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), 2016 method and 2011 method (appearing as column headers).
Geography 2016 method 2011 method
Canada 60,115 64,575
Newfoundland and Labrador 500 520
Prince Edward Island 185 190
Nova Scotia 1,785 1,835
New Brunswick 1,185 1,215
Quebec 18,065 18,435
Ontario 22,085 23,380
Manitoba 1,360 1,465
Saskatchewan 820 1,005
Alberta 4,430 6,365
British Columbia 9,545 10,000
Yukon 70 75
Northwest Territories 70 80
Nunavut 20 20

Comparability with other data sources

As with every census, the quality of the 2016 Census information released in May 2017 (age and sex) and August 2017 (families, households and marital status) was evaluated internally prior to publication. The data were compared, to the extent possible, with data from alternate data sources. In the case of data by age, sex, legal marital status and families, the main source for comparison was the 2011 postcensal estimates produced by Statistics Canada’s Demography Division, which are based on administrative records of births, deaths, migration and marriage.

Table 4 compares the July 1, 2016, annual demographic estimates and the 2016 Census of Population results by age group and sex.

Table 4
Comparison of results for age and sex from the July 1, 2016, annual demographic estimates (adjusted for net undercoverage) and the 2016 Census of Population, Canada  
Table summary
This table displays the results of Comparison of results for age and sex from the July 1. The information is grouped by Age groups (appearing as row headers), Annual demographic estimates and Census (appearing as column headers).
Age groups Annual demographic estimates Census
Total - Sex Males Females Total - Sex Males Females
Total 36,286,425 17,995,581 18,290,844 35,151,725 17,264,200 17,887,530
0 to 14 years 5,831,649 2,989,359 2,842,290 5,839,565 2,992,925 2,846,645
15 to 64 years 24,464,265 12,281,736 12,182,529 23,376,525 11,576,135 11,800,395
65 years and older 5,990,511 2,724,486 3,266,025 5,935,640 2,695,150 3,240,480
Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
0 to 14 years 16.1% 16.6% 15.5% 16.6% 17.3% 15.9%
15 to 64 years 67.4% 68.2% 66.6% 66.5% 67.1% 66.0%
65 years and older 16.5% 15.1% 17.9% 16.9% 15.6% 18.1%

Table 4 shows a similar general distribution for the data from the two sources by age and sex, aside from the expected difference between the census and the postcensal population estimates. For more information, please refer to Differences between Statistics Canada's census counts and population estimates.

Table 5 compares the July 1, 2016, annual demographic estimates and the 2016 Census of Population results by census family type.

Table 5
Comparison of results for census family type from the July 1, 2016, annual demographic estimates (adjusted for net undercoverage) and the 2016 Census of Population, Canada
Table summary
This table displays the results of Comparison of results for census family type from the July 1. The information is grouped by Census families (appearing as row headers), Annual demographic estimates and Census (appearing as column headers).
Census families Annual demographic estimates Census
Total 10,052,075 9,840,725
Couple families 8,434,311 8,227,920
Without children 4,155,412 4,024,305
With children 4,278,899 4,203,615
Lone-parent families 1,617,764 1,612,805
Female lone-parent families 1,241,057 1,262,340
Male lone-parent families 376,707 350,465

Table 5 shows a similar general distribution for the data from the two sources by census family type, aside from the expected difference between the census and the postcensal population estimates. For more information, please refer to Differences between Statistics Canada's census counts and population estimates.

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