Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Other government transfers

Definition

All government transfers received during the reference period other than those from the following sources:

• Old Age Security pension, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance or Allowance for the Survivor;
• retirement, disability and survivor benefits from Canada Pension Plan and Québec Pension Plan;
• benefits from Employment Insurance and Québec parental insurance plan;
• child benefits from federal and provincial programs.

The key components of this variable are social assistance benefits; workers' compensation benefits; the Canada workers benefit; the goods and services tax credit and harmonized sales tax credit; refundable provincial tax credits; provincial income supplements for seniors; other provincial credits, benefits and rebates; government emergency response funds; veterans' pensions; the war veterans' allowance; and pensions to widow(er)s and dependants of veterans.

For the 2021 Census, this included various benefits from new and existing federal, provincial, and territorial government income programs intended to provide financial support to individuals affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic and the public health measures implemented to minimize the spread of the virus.

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); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986 and 1981 (20% sample). For availability prior to 1981, refer to Appendix 2.1.

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 dollar value or nil

Remarks

This variable was referred to as other income from government sources prior to the 2016 Census.

See 'Remarks' under total income.

See also income sources and the detailed definitions for each of the components: social assistance benefits, workers' compensation benefits, Canada workers benefit (CWB), goods and services tax (GST) credit and harmonized sales tax (HST) credit and government transfers not included elsewhere.

For more information, please refer to Appendix 2.4 Components of income in 2020.

For additional information about any COVID‑19 emergency and recovery benefits, 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)