This page brings together information available on gender from multiple sources for a better understanding of the term and to promote standards adoption and interoperability of data.
Gender statistics
Gender Statistics includes a description, data sources and methodology.
Surveys including gender
In 2018, Statistics Canada started collecting data on gender in social surveys, such as in the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. The 2021 Census of Population included for the first time the question on gender and the "at birth" precision to the sex question which can be found in the 2021 Census: 2A questionnaire. Gender is expected to be used by default in most social statistics programs at Statistics Canada in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada's Sex and Gender Information Practices (2018). Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man, woman, or non-binary person while sex at birth is typically assigned at birth based on a person's reproductive system and other physical characteristics.
Gender of person variable
Gender of person includes the definition, usage, conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards, classifications, additional information and previous version.
Gender classifications
The Classification of gender and the Classification of cisgender, transgender and non-binary outline the classification structure and include a link to the definitions and usage.
Public consultation
Reference documentation
Age, Sex at Birth and Gender Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021
2021 Census: Sex at birth and gender – the whole picture (video)
Balancing the Protection of Confidentiality with the Needs for Disaggregated Census Data, Census of Population, 2021
Filling the gaps: Information on gender in the 2021 Census
Sex at Birth of Person Reference Guide
Questions used
Questions designed to collect data on Gender.
Option 1
(response by proxy)
What is this person's gender?
Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man, a woman or a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman, for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or Two-Spirit.
- Man
- Woman
- Or please specify this person's gender:
Option 2
(self-reported)
What is your gender?
Gender refers to an individual’s personal and social identity as a man, a woman or a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman, for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or Two-Spirit.
- Man
- Woman
- Or please specify your gender: