About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :	97-563-XCB2006010
Release date :	December 9, 2008
Topic :	Income and earnings
Data dimensions :	Geography (Geographic Index) Selected demographic, educational and cultural characteristics (69) Number and percentage with income and earnings (13) Year (2)

Note

Note: Data Quality - Historical earnings and income data and outliers

Changes in methodology and response modes introduced in the 2006 Census resulted in improved income data. However, these changes also mean that some comparisons with data from previous censuses and some data for the highest earnings and income amounts are affected.

For the 2006 Census, changes to methods for capturing and processing the 2006 Census income data and the introduction of data from tax files may have an impact on the trends analysis for earnings at the individual level in particular (but also total income).

There are more reported small amounts in 2006 and less rounding of the amounts that now come from tax data. To compare from census to census, users are advised to consider full-year full-time earners as the presence of more small amounts tends to lower the mean and median when considering the full population of earners.

As in the past, when considering small populations, one or more outliers may affect the average. In regions with sampling, this makes the estimate of the mean unreliable because of the variance due to sampling for smaller populations. The standard error of the average should help identify these situations. With extremely small populations, the median might also be affected by the presence of outliers. Users are required to interpret data with caution when the sub-population has small or very small counts.

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: Earnings historical variations

Due to improved collection methodology, income and earnings data from the 2006 Census is more complete, precise and less subject to rounding than in prior censuses. Small dollar amounts, which in the past may not have been reported, are now more likely to be captured. Compared to prior censuses, this has resulted in an increased number of earners and lower median and average earnings. Users are advised to exercise caution when interpreting census-to-census changes in statistics and counts of specific cells within an earnings distribution. This comparability issue is less apparent when considering the earnings of full-year, full-time workers.

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: Non-permanent residents and the census universe

In the 2006 Census, non-permanent residents are defined as people from another country who, at the time of the census, held a Work or Study Permit, or who were refugee claimants, as well as family members living in Canada with them. In the 1991, 1996 and 2001 censuses, non-permanent residents also included persons who held a Minister's permit; this was discontinued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada prior to the 2006 Census.

From 1991 on, the Census of Population has enumerated both permanent and non-permanent residents of Canada. Prior to 1991, only permanent residents of Canada were included in the census. (The only exception to this occurred in 1941.) Non-permanent residents were considered foreign residents and were not enumerated.

Total population counts, as well as counts for all variables, are affected by this change in the census universe. Users should be especially careful when comparing data from 1991, 1996, 2001 or 2006 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a concentration of non-permanent residents.

Today in Canada, non-permanent residents make up a significant segment of the population, especially in several census metropolitan areas. Their presence can affect the demand for such government services as health care, schooling, employment programs and language training. The inclusion of non-permanent residents in the census facilitates comparisons with provincial and territorial statistics (marriages, divorces, births and deaths) which include this population. In addition, this inclusion of non-permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the United Nations (UN) recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.

Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties, the reluctance to complete a government form or to understand the need to participate may have affected the enumeration of this population.

For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE.

For counts of the non-permanent resident population in 1991, 2001 and 2006, please refer to the 2006 Census table 97-557-XCB2006006.


Note: Population universe

The population universe of the 2006 Census includes the following groups:
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants with a usual place of residence in Canada;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants who are abroad, either on a military base or attached to a diplomatic mission;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants at sea or in port aboard merchant vessels under Canadian registry;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who are claiming refugee status and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Study Permits and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Work Permits and members of their families living with them.

For census purposes, the last three groups in this list are referred to as 'non-permanent residents'. For further information, refer to the variable Immigration: Non-permanent resident found in the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE.

Data table

Select data categories for this table

Geography Geographic index Canada Newfoundland and Labrador / Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador Prince Edward Island / Île-du-Prince-Édouard Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Écosse New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick Quebec / Québec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia / Colombie-Britannique Yukon Territory / Territoire du Yukon Northwest Territories / Territoires du Nord-Ouest Nunavut

Selected demographic, educational and cultural characte…^{Footnote 1} Total - Age groups 15 to 19 years 20 to 24 years 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 to 69 years 70 years and over Total - Legal marital status Never legally married (single) Legally married (and not separated) Separated, but still legally married Divorced Widowed Total - Sex Male Female Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree Certificate or diploma below bachelor level University certificate or degree Bachelor's degree University certificate, diploma or degree above bachelor level Total - Immigrant status and period of immigration Non-immigrants Immigrants Before 1961 1961 to 1970 1971 to 1980 1981 to 1990 1991 to 1995 1996 to 2000 2001 to 2004 Total - Population by visible minority groups Total visible minority population Chinese South Asian Black Filipino Latin American Southeast Asian Arab West Asian Korean Japanese Visible minority, n.i.e. Multiple visible minority Not a visible minority Total - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal identity population Total Aboriginal identity population North American Indian single response Métis single response Inuit single response Multiple Aboriginal identity responses Aboriginal responses not included elsewhere Non-Aboriginal identity population Total - Registered Indian status Registered Indian Not a Registered Indian Total - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestry population Total Aboriginal ancestry population North American Indian single ancestry North American Indian and non-Aboriginal ancestries Métis single ancestry Métis and non-Aboriginal ancestries Inuit single ancestry Inuit and non-Aboriginal ancestries Other Aboriginal multiple ancestries Non-Aboriginal ancestry population

This table details number and percentage with income and earnings in constant dollars and selected demographic, educational and cultural characteristics for the population 15 years and over in Canada^{Footnote 2}

Number and percentage with income and earnings (13)	Year (2)
	2000Footnote 3	2005Footnote 4
Total - Population 15 years of age and over	23,901,360	25,664,225
With incomeFootnote 5	22,723,055	24,423,160
% with income	95.1	95.2
Average income $	33,389	35,498
Standard error of average income	21	30
With earningsFootnote 6	16,415,785	18,201,265
% with earnings	68.7	70.9
Average earnings $	35,619	36,301
Standard error of average earnings	25	34
Full-year full-time workers with earningsFootnote 7	8,685,225	9,275,765
% full-year full-time workers with earningsFootnote 8	52.9	51.0
Average full-year full-time earnings $	48,563	51,221
Standard error of average full-year full-time earnings	40	52

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97-563-XCB2006010.

Download

Related data

• 2006 Census analysis series:
  Earnings and Incomes of Canadians Over the Past Quarter Century, 2006 Census: Findings
• 2006 Census reference guides and technical reports:
  Income and Earnings Reference Guide, 2006 Census