About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :	97F0020XCB2001083
Release date :	December 16, 2003
Topic :	Income of Individuals, Families and Households
Data dimensions :	Geography (Geographic Index) Sex (3) Age Groups (5A) Income Status (3) Number Reporting and Aggregate Amount Reported for Each Source of Income (24)

Note

Special Note: Changes to Family Concepts for the 2001 Census

For the 1996 Census, the definition of census family was as follows:

Refers to a now-married couple (with or without never-married sons and/or daughters of either or both spouses), a couple living common-law (with or without never-married sons and/or daughters of either or both partners) or a lone-parent of any marital status, with at least one never-married son or daughter living in the same dwelling.

This reflected a concept that had not changed since 1976. However, during the planning for the 2001 Census, it was decided that some changes were required, due to the following factors: (1) changes to federal and provincial legislation putting same-sex couples on an equal footing with opposite-sex common-law couples (most notably Bill C-23, the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, which was passed by the Government of Canada in 2000); (2) recommendations by the United Nations as part of a process of standardization of concepts for the 2000-2001 round of censuses in member countries; and (3) a significant number of persons less than 15 years of age classified as 'non-family persons' in previous censuses.

As a result, the census family concept for the 2001 Census reflects the following changes:

- Two persons living in a same-sex common-law relationship, along with any of their children residing in the household, are considered a census family.

- Children in a census family can have been previously married (as long as they are not currently living with a spouse or common-law partner). Previously, they had to be 'never-married'.

- A grandchild living in a three-generation household where the parent (middle generation) is never-married is, contrary to previous censuses, now considered as a child in the census family of his or her parent, provided the grandchild is not living with his or her own spouse, common-law partner, or child. Traditionally, the census family usually consisted of the two older generations.

- A grandchild of another household member, where a middle-generation parent is not present, is now considered as a child in the census family of his or her grandparent, provided the grandchild is not living with his or her own spouse, common-law partner, or child. Traditionally, such a grandchild would not be considered as a member of a census family.

The last three changes listed (definition of 'child'), together, result in a 1.5% increase in the total number of census families, and in a 10.1% increase in the number of lone-parent families. The inclusion of same-sex couples results in a 0.4% increase in the number of census families at the national level.

The term economic family refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. This definition has not changed for 2001. The only effect of conceptual changes on economic families is that same-sex partners are now considered to be common-law partners. Thus they are considered related and members of the same economic family.

Outside of the 'family universe', there are two related concepts that are affected by the change in the census family definition: common-law status and household type. Prior to 2001, two people living together as husband and wife without being legally married to each other were considered to be living common-law. For 2001, this has been expanded to include persons living in a same-sex partnership. The concept of household type refers to the basic division of private households into family and non-family households. Since it is based on the census family concept, the household type (whether a household is 'family' or 'non-family') is affected by the change. Also, the detailed classification of this variable is affected, since married couples and common-law couples were broken down into those 'without never-married sons or daughters' and 'with never-married sons or daughters'. For 2001 this reads 'without children' and 'with children', with the attendant change in meaning.

For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special 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 2000 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 2000 from comparable sources was 4.1% 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 almost identical to the national accounts estimates. Although there was a large difference between the two estimates of net income from farm self-employment (the smallest component of individual earnings), census estimates of aggregate income from both farm and non-farm self-employment were lower by 1%. Overall, estimates of total income from employment were nearly identical.

Census estimates of Old Age Security pensions and the Guaranteed Income Supplement were about 5% higher, while those for Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits were about 9% lower, than adjusted national accounts estimates. Employment Insurance benefits reported in the census were smaller by about 6%. Estimates of aggregate Canada Child Tax benefits were nearly identical in both 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 the estimates from the national accounts. Overall, census estimates of aggregate income from all government transfer payments were lower by about 13%. As in previous census-year comparisons, the census estimate of investment income was significantly lower, by 32% in 2000, than the national accounts estimate.

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 (by 3.4%) and earners (by 7.2%) than SLID estimates. Consequently, census estimates of aggregate earnings are 4% lower than the SLID estimate, while the census estimate of aggregate total income of individuals is lower by 3%. Most of the observed provincial differences were considered acceptable in the light of sampling errors in the Survey.

Special Note: Economic Family Status

Economic Family Status - Refers to the classification of the population according to whether or not the persons are members of an economic family.

Economic Family Persons - Refer to two or more household members who are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption, and thereby constitute an economic family. They can be further classified as follows:

Economic Family Reference Persons - In each economic family, one person is designated as the reference person. For purposes of presentation of historically comparable low-income statistics, the following designations have been made. The male spouse or partner is designated as the reference person in couple families. In lone-parent families, the male or female lone parent is the reference person. In same-sex families where one of the partners is the reference person, the first person in the couple listed on the questionnaire is the economic family reference person. In all other economic families, either a male or female non-census family person is designated as the reference person.

Economic Family Members - Persons other than the reference person (as described above) who belong to the same economic family are classified as spouses or opposite-sex partners, male or female same-sex partners, never-married sons or daughters, other sons or daughters or other economic family members.

Unattached Individuals - Refer to household members who are not members of an economic family. Persons living alone are included in this category.

For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special Note: Incidence of Low Income (2)

Due to a change in the method of calculation of the incidence of low income (September, 2003), minor differences may exist between the rates previously released and those currently published for small population groups or small geographic areas.

Additionally, users should be aware that, under the current methodology, the total number of units (persons, families or unattached individuals) and the number of low income units shown are rounded independently of the numbers used in the calculation of the incidence of low income. This may result in the incidence of low income being suppressed, even though the number of units involved in the calculation may be shown. There may also be a small difference between the rate shown and one derived from the counts shown.

Users are advised to interpret incidence of low income rates based upon small counts with caution.

Special Note: Income Reference Period

Canadian censuses were conducted in 1996 and 2001. Income data from these censuses relate to the calendar year prior to the census year, i.e. 1995 and 2000 respectively. For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special 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/Employment Income Distributions

Income/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 data cells and associated averages, medians and standard errors of average income/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 Average Employment Income only

Statistics have been suppressed if the estimated total number of persons (males, females or both sexes) with employment income in the reference year is less than 250. All suppressed data cells and associated averages have been replaced by zeroes or symbols.

In all cases, suppressed data are included in the appropriate higher aggregate subtotals and totals.

Special Note: Private Household

Refers to a person or a group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy a private dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada. For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Additional information about this table is available in the Dimension Summary Box of the variable in the column (initial view).

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

Sex (3) Total - Sex Male Female

Age Groups (5A) Total - Age groups 15-24 years 25-44 years 45-64 years 65 years and over

This table details number reporting and aggregate amount reported for each source of income , sex , age groups and income status for unattached individuals 15 years and over in private households in Canada^{Footnote 1}

Income Status (3)	Number Reporting and Aggregate Amount Reported for Each Source of Income (24)
	Unattached individuals with incomeFootnote 2	Aggregate income $'000	With employment income	Aggregate employment income $'000	With wages and salaries	Aggregate wages and salaries $'000	With self employment income	Aggregate self-employment income $'000	With government transfer payments	Aggregate government transfer payments $'000	With Old Age Security pensions and Guaranteed Income Supplement	Aggregate Old Age Security pensions and Guaranteed Income Supplement $'000	With Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits	Aggregate Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits $'000	With Employment Insurance benefits	Aggregate Employment Insurance benefits $'000	With other income from government sources	Aggregate other income from government sources $'000	With investment income	Aggregate investment income $'000	With retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities	Aggregate retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities $'000	With other money income	Aggregate other money income $'000
Total - Income statusFootnote 3	3,863,280	109,309,490	2,292,960	72,135,666	2,139,725	67,294,303	243,570	4,841,372	3,339,475	20,303,104	1,075,475	7,932,966	1,273,475	6,357,085	324,625	1,380,119	3,206,060	4,632,958	1,024,280	6,711,097	714,885	8,978,366	168,850	1,181,317
Low income	1,448,790	13,748,087	570,965	4,190,847	520,405	3,881,954	67,755	308,855	1,395,475	8,532,988	437,745	4,013,948	506,440	1,812,918	108,700	381,692	1,389,530	2,324,433	212,315	400,386	132,535	357,278	71,710	266,595
Other	2,414,495	95,561,413	1,721,995	67,944,699	1,619,315	63,412,203	175,815	4,532,514	1,944,010	11,770,146	637,730	3,919,018	767,040	4,544,142	215,930	998,428	1,816,530	2,308,525	811,965	6,310,712	582,350	8,621,055	97,145	914,701

Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97F0020XCB2001083.

Map – Canada

Map is currently unavailable.

Download

Related data

• 2001 Census analysis series:
  Income of Canadian Families, 2001 Census