Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Net farm income

Definition

Net income (gross receipts minus cost of operation and capital cost allowance) received during the reference period from self-employment activities, either on own account or in partnership. In the case of partnerships, only the person's share of income is included. Net partnership income of a limited or non-active partner is excluded.

Farming income is the only included source in the farm income component defined here. It excludes fishing income and income from non-farm business or professional practice. Commission income for a self-employed commission salesperson and royalties from a work or invention with expenses associated are also excluded from this farm component.

For the 2021 Census, the reference period for income data is the calendar year 2020, unless otherwise specified.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (100% data); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, refer to Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Variable derived based on administrative tax and benefit records received from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Responses

Positive or negative dollar value or nil

Remarks

See 'Remarks' under total income.

See also net self-employment income.

Included with gross receipts are cash advances received in the reference period, dividends from cooperatives, rebates and farm‑support payments to farmers from federal, provincial and regional agricultural programs (for example, milk subsidies and marketing board payments) and gross insurance proceeds such as payments from the AgriInvest and AgriStability programs. The value of income 'in kind,' such as agricultural products produced and consumed on the farm, is excluded.

For the 2021 Census, this concept included subsidies from various government financial aid programs to support businesses in 2020 in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, such as the Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers (TWS), the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) that helped cover part of payroll.

Some self‑employed individuals were eligible for benefits from other COVID-19 – Emergency and recovery benefits, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), etc. in 2020. These benefits were not classified under 'net self‑employment income,' but rather under COVID‑19 emergency and recovery benefits as a component of the Government transfers not included elsewhere variable.

For additional information about COVID-19 benefits, data collection method, coverage, reference period, concepts, data quality and intercensal comparability of the income data, refer to the Income Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Note(s)