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Appendix A:
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation
Table of contents
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Demographic characteristics
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for demographic characteristics are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Name | 1871 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Date of birth | 1871 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Age (in addition to date of birth) | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y |
| Sex | 1871 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Marital status | 1871 | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y |
| Legal marital status | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Common-law status | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mobility – Place of residence one year ago | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Mobility – Place of residence five years ago | 1961 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Number of moves since previous census | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Date of first marriage | 1941 | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Number of children ever born | 1941 | Y | N | Y | N | N | N | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Languages and ethnocultural characteristics
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for languages and ethnocultural characteristics are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Knowledge of official languages | 1901 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Knowledge of non-official languages | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Home language | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mother tongue | 1901 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Language of work | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N |
| Place of birth | 1871 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Place of birth of parents | 1891 | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N |
| Citizenship | 1901 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Landed immigrant status | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Period/year of immigration | 1901 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Ethnic origin | 1871 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Registered or Treaty Indian status | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Membership in a First Nation or Indian band | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Aboriginal group (Aboriginal identity [single question]) | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Aboriginal identity (derived) | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Visible minority group | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Religion (usually asked every 10 years) | 1871 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Activity limitations
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for activity limitations are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| At home | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| At school or at work | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| In other activities | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Long-term disabilities or handicaps | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Difficulties with daily living activities | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Education
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for education are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| School attendance | 1871 | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Highest grade of elementary or secondary schooling | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Years of schooling (university) | 1961 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Years of schooling (other) | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Total years of schooling | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Highest level of educational attainment | 1961 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalent | 1976 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Completion of full-time vocational course | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Non-university certificate or diploma | 1976 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Registered apprenticeship or other trades certificate or diploma | 1981 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| College certificates or diplomas | 1981 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| University certificates, diplomas, degrees | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Highest certificate, diploma or degree | 1961 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Major field of study | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Province of elementary or secondary schooling (or outside Canada) | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Province, territory or country where highest certificate, diploma, degree (above high school) was completed | 2006 | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Household activities
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for household activities are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Unpaid housework | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Caring for children without pay | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Providing unpaid care/assistance to seniors | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Labour market activities
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for labour market activities are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Actual hours worked last week | 1951 | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Usual hours worked each week | 1911 | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Last date of work | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Industry | 1901 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Occupation | 1871 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Class of worker | 1891 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Weeks worked in reference year | 1911 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Full-time/part-time work | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Temporary lay-off/absent from job | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| New job to start in four weeks or less | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Looked for work in past four weeks | 1961 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Availability for work | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Incorporation status | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Journey to work
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for journey to work are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Place of work | 1971 | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Mode of transportation to work | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Income characteristics
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for income characteristics are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Income in year previous to census year | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Wages and salaries | 1901 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Net non-farm self-employment income | 1961 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Net farm self-employment income | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Family allowances | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N |
| Federal Child Tax Credits / child benefits | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Old Age Security Pension (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Benefits from Canada or Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP) | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Benefits from Employment Insurance | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Other income from government sources | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Interest, dividends and other investment income | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Retirement pensions, superannuation, annuities | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Other money income | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Income tax paid | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Family and household characteristics
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for family and household characteristics are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Agricultural operator | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Household maintainer(s) | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Relationship to Person 1 or head of household | 1891 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Family head (in addition to household head) | 1921 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Tenure (owned/rented) | 1921 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Tenure (condominium) | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Tenure (band housing) | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Presence of mortgage | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Who holds first mortgage | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Number of persons per household | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Shelter costs – renter | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Payment of reduced rent (e.g., government subsidized housing) | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Automobiles available for personal use | 1941 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Vacation home ownership | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Major home appliances | 1931 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Yearly payments of electricity | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Yearly payments of natural gas, oil, coal, wood, etc. | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Yearly payments of water | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Shelter costs – owner mortgage | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Shelter costs – owner property taxes | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Shelter costs – owner condominium | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Shelter costs – owner condominium fees | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Dwelling characteristics
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for dwelling characteristics are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Number of rooms | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Number of bedrooms | 1971 | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Number of bathrooms | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Period of construction | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Condition of dwelling | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Type of dwelling | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Value of dwelling | 1941 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Number of dwellings in the building | 1941 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Garage | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Piped running water in the dwelling | 1941 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Bath or shower | 1941 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Use of flush toilet in building | 1941 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Unoccupied dwelling, reason for | 1976 | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Seasonal/marginal dwelling | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Length of occupancy | 1941 | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Source of water supply | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Method of sewage disposal | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Principal type of heating equipment | 1941 | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Principal fuel used for cooking | 1971 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Principal fuel used for heating | 1941 | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
| Principal fuel used for water heating | 1971 | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Coverage
Description
This table identifies for which years content and derived variables for coverage are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Did you leave anyone out? | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Household roster | 1971 | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Number of temporary residents | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
| Number of usual residents | 1971 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
Census questionnaire content and derived variables since Confederation – Other
Description
This table identifies for which years other content and derived variables are available for the census.
| Content | Questions asked for the first time before 1981 |
Census (including long form) | Census | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | ||
Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census of Canada. Symbols N not included |
||||||||
| Wartime service | 1951 | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Access to personal information 92 years after the census | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y |
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