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Data Dictionary: Canadian Census 2011
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Data Source: Statistics Canada
Table: T24. Conjugal Status, Opposite/Same-Sex Status and Presence of Children for the Couple Census Families in Private Households (Common-Law Couples) [5]
Universe: Common-law couples Presence of children
Table Details
T24. Conjugal Status, Opposite/Same-Sex Status and Presence of Children for the Couple Census Families in Private Households (Common-Law Couples)
Universe: Common-law couples Presence of children
Relevant Documentation:
Excerpt from: Social Explorer; Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 98-301-X: 2011 Census Dictionary
  Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 98-301-X: 2011 Census Dictionary -> Introduction to the population universe -> Demography -> Common-law status
Common-law status
Part A - Short definition
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Common-law refers to two people living together as a couple but not legally married to each other.

Part B - Detailed definition
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Common-law refers to two people living together as a couple but not legally married to each other. They may be of opposite sex or of the same sex.

Additional Information
Censuses
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2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991
Reported for
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Total population
Question no.
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Direct variable: Question 5
Responses
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Yes; No
Remarks
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In the 1981 and 1986 censuses, people living common law could report their relationship by using one of the response categories in the question on relationship to Person 1; they were nonetheless included in the category 'Married' for purposes of data on marital status. For more information, see Marital status.

Since 2001, the response category 'Yes' includes same-sex common-law partners.

All persons under 15 years of age are considered to be not living common law.

Excerpt from: Social Explorer; Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 98-301-X: 2011 Census Dictionary
  Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 98-301-X: 2011 Census Dictionary -> Introduction to the population universe -> Demography -> Legal marital status
Legal marital status
Part A - Short definition
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Refers to the marital status of the person under the law, excluding common-law status.

Part B - Detailed definition
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Refers to the marital status of the person under the law, excluding common-law status. Married spouses may be of opposite sex or of the same sex. The classification is as follows:

Single (never legally married)

A person who has never married or a person whose marriage has been annulled and who has not remarried.

Married (and not separated)

A person who is married and has neither separated nor divorced, and whose spouse is living.

Separated

A person who is married but who is no longer living with his/her spouse (for any reason other than illness, work or school) and who has not obtained a divorce.

Divorced

A person who has obtained a legal divorce and who has not remarried.

Widowed

A person who has lost his/her spouse through death and who has not remarried.

Additional Information
Censuses
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2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991
Reported for
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Total population
Question no.
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Direct variable: Question 4
Responses
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Never legally married; Legally married (and not separated); Separated, but still legally married; Divorced; Widowed
Remarks
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Since 1991, the addition of a question solely on common-law status has made it possible to separate the concept of common-law status from that of legal marital status and to provide accurate data on both these concepts.

In 2011, the category 'Never legally married' on the questionnaire was changed (previously 'Never legally married (single)'), but the concept did not change. Since 2006, the category 'Married' includes legally married same-sex spouses.

All persons under 15 years of age are considered to be single (never legally married).

Excerpt from: Social Explorer; Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 98-301-X: 2011 Census Dictionary
  Statistics Canada - Catalogue no. 98-301-X: 2011 Census Dictionary -> Introduction to the population universe -> Demography -> Marital status
Marital status
Part A - Short definition
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Refers to the marital status of the person, taking into account his/her common-law status.

Part B - Detailed definition
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Refers to the marital status of the person, taking into account his/her common-law status. Persons who are married or living common law may be of opposite sex or of the same sex.

The classification is as follows:

Married (and not separated)

A person who is married and has not separated or obtained a divorce, and whose spouse is living.

Common-law

A person who is living with another person as a couple but who is not legally married to that person.

Separated

A person who is married but who no longer lives with his/her spouse (for any reason other than illness, work or school) and who has not obtained a divorce. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Divorced

A person who has obtained a legal divorce and who has not remarried. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Widowed

A person who has lost his/her spouse through death and who has not remarried. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Single (never legally married)

A person who has never married or a person whose marriage has been annulled and who has not remarried. Persons living common law are not included in this category.

Additional Information
Censuses
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2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961
Reported for
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Total population
Question no.
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Derived variable: Questions 4 and 5
Responses
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Not applicable
Remarks
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Before 1981, data on marital status were collected using a single question. In the 1981 and 1986 censuses, people living common law could report their common-law status by using one of the response categories in the question on relationship to Person 1; they were nonetheless included in the category 'Married' for purposes of data on marital status. Since 1991, the addition of a question solely on common law has made it possible to separate the concept of common-law status from that of legal marital status and to provide accurate data on both these concepts. The data from both questions can be combined to derive the classification, 'Marital status.'

In 2011, the category 'Never legally married' on the questionnaire was changed (previously 'Never legally married (single)'), but the concept did not change. Since 2006, the category 'Married' includes legally married same-sex spouses. Since 2001, the category 'Common-law' includes same-sex common-law partners. In 1961 and 1966, separated persons were included with married persons.

All persons under 15 years of age are considered to be single (never legally married) and not living common law.

Sex
Part A - Short definition
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Not applicable

Part B - Detailed definition
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Refers to whether the person is male or female.

Additional Information
Censuses
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2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961
Reported for
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Total population
Question no.
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Direct variable: Question 2
Responses
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Male; Female