Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Net capital gains or losses

Definition

The net gains received or losses incurred during the reference period from the sale of capital property. This represents the proceeds of disposition minus the adjusted cost base of the property and outlays and expenses incurred to sell the property. Included with adjusted cost base are any expenses incurred to acquire the property and capital expenditures made toward property improvements with the exception of those that are current, such as ongoing repair or maintenance costs.

Capital property includes depreciable property and any property which, if sold, would result in a capital gain or loss (for example, cottages, buildings and securities such as mutual funds).

Non-taxable capital gains or losses on the sale of a principal residence are excluded.

For the 2021 Census, the reference period for income data is the calendar year 2020, unless otherwise specified.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (100% data); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample).

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s)

Variable derived based on administrative tax and benefit records received from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Responses

Positive or negative dollar value or nil

Remarks

This variable is excluded from the concept of investment income. It is not considered in the regular concept of total income as disseminated in standard products. It is instead included in an alternate variable total income plus net capital gains or losses.

For additional information about data collection method, coverage, reference period, concepts, data quality and intercensal comparability of the income data, refer to the Income Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Note(s)