Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
COVID-19 – Emergency and recovery benefits

Definition

COVID‑19 – Emergency and Recovery Benefits refers to the benefits from all federal programs intended to provide financial support to individuals affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic and the public health measures implemented to minimize the spread of the virus. It includes:

• the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB);
• the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB);
• the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB);
• the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB);
• the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB).

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

Statistical unit(s)

• Economic family
• Person

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 (100% data).

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 value or nil

Remarks

See 'Remarks' under total income.

This variable, as part of the COVID‑19 – Government income support and benefits, is included in the Government transfers not included elsewhere category of the income sources classification.

See also:

• COVID‑19 - Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
• COVID‑19 - Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
• COVID‑19 - Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
• COVID‑19 - Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
• COVID‑19 - Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
• COVID‑19 - Enhancements to existing federal programs
• COVID‑19 - Provincial and territorial benefits

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.