Part A – Plain Language Definition

Not applicable

Part B – Detailed Definition

Refers to the classification of the population according to whether or not the persons are members of an economic family. (See Figure 13.)

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.

Censuses: 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971*

Reported for: Population in private households

Question Nos.: Derived variable: Questions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (The question on Common-law status – Question 5 in 2001 – was first asked in the 1991 Census.)

Responses: Not applicable

Remarks:

* In 1971, published family statistics included families living in private households (including those enumerated outside Canada) and all collective households.