Marital status

Part A - Short definition:

Refers to the marital status of the person, taking into account his/her common-law status.

Part B - Detailed definition:

Refers to the marital status of the person, taking into account his/her common-law status. Persons who are married or living common law may be of opposite sex or of the same sex. The classification is as follows:

Married (and not separated)

A person who is married and has not separated or obtained a divorce, and whose spouse is living.

Common-law

A person who is living with another person as a couple but who is not legally married to that person.

Separated

A person who is married but who no longer lives with his/her spouse (for any reason other than illness, work or school) and who has not obtained a divorce. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Divorced

A person who has obtained a legal divorce and who has not remarried. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Widowed

A person who has lost his/her spouse through death and who has not remarried. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Single (never legally married)

A person who has never married or a person whose marriage has been annulled and who has not remarried. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Reported in:

2011

Reported for:

Population in private households

Question number(s):

Derived variable: Questions 4 and 5

Responses:

Not applicable

Remarks:

All persons under 15 years of age are considered to be single (never legally married) and not living common law.