Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Labour force status (based on 1971 concepts)

Definition

Refers to whether a person was employed, unemployed or not in the labour force during the week of Sunday, May 2 to Saturday, May 8, 2021, according to 1971 labour force status concepts.

Previously, in other census cycles, early enumeration was conducted in remote, isolated parts of the provinces and territories in the months leading up to the May enumeration. Because of COVID-19, there was no early enumeration for the 2021 Census. Collection procedures—especially in collective dwellings and remote, northern, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities—were redesigned to ensure the census was conducted in the best possible way, using a safe and secure approach.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person 15 years or over

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, please refer to Appendix 2.1.

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Derived variable: Questions 38 to 43

Responses

The categories for the historical labour force status variable are:

• Employed - Absent in reference week - Armed Forces
• Employed - Absent in reference week - Civilian
• Employed - Unpaid family worker
• Employed - Paid - Armed Forces
• Employed - Paid - Civilian
• Not in labour force
• Unemployed - Looked for work - Experienced
• Unemployed - Looked for work - Inexperienced
• Unemployed - On temporary layoff

Remarks

The population aged 15 years and over are classified according to 1971 labour force status concepts as follows:

Employed

• persons who worked in the reference week for pay or in self-employment
• persons with a job but who were not at work during the reference week^{Footnote 2}
• persons who worked in the reference week without pay in a family farm, business or professional practice.

Unemployed

• persons who looked for work in the reference week
• persons who were on temporary lay-off during the reference week

Not in the labour force

Persons aged 15 years and over who are not employed or unemployed are considered 'Not in the Labour Force.' According to 1971 labour force status concepts this category also includes:

• female farm labourers who did less than 20 hours of unpaid work in a family farm, business or professionnal practice;
• Institutional residents.^{Footnote 3}

Note(s)