OTTAWA – Every five years, the federal government paints a family portrait of the entire nation as part of the national census.
When Statistics Canada unveils this year’s data Wednesday, the portrait is sure to include blended families, foster families, single-parent families, same-sex families, opposite-sex families, skip-generation families, common-law families, families without children and just about any other iteration of family.
The reality is, that in Canada, family can mean almost anything.
“It wasn’t that long ago when people said family and thought (of) a mom, dad and two kids,” said Nora Spinks, the executive director of the Vanier Institute for the Family. “Now when people say family, it’s what does that look like for you?”
Statistics Canada’s basic definition of family is two people living in the same house. They can be married or unmarried, parents or childless or just a parent and child.
Beyond that almost any group of people can be considered a family regardless of biology, marital status, sexual orientation.
The only rule is that “all members of a particular census family live in the same dwelling.”
“Families come in all shapes and sizes and the way they adapt and adjust to social, political and economic realities has always been part of what families are and what families are about,” Spinks said.
There will be some new additions to the census data including a closer look at how stepfamilies develop and function. Foster children will also be counted for the first time in Canadian census history.
Some of the statistical staples will also be included, such as the number of married couples, common-law couples, couples with children, childless couples and single-parents.
Canadians will also get a glimpse of how many same-sex couples have tied the knot since marriage became legal in Canada. Other numbers will show how many same-sex couples, married or not, have children.
“Families are the most adaptable institution we have. Families tend to adapt a whole lot faster than any other element of society,” said Spinks.
The census will also reveal where all of these families are living – and with who. The numbers will include the type of dwelling families are choosing and will also show whether adult children or aging parents have moved in.
Those numbers will reflect one of the things that hasn’t changed about family, according to Kevin McQuillan, a family demographer at the University of Calgary.
“For all of the changes we’ve seen, and they have been profound in terms of family arrangements, for a tremendous amount of people in our society there is this sense that if I get in a tough spot, I look to my family for support,” said McQuillan.
Another thing that hasn’t changed over time is the significance people place in those who they consider family.
“The perception people have is this is a critical part of their life, as important to them today as it has been in the past,” McQuillan said.
Taking stock of families isn’t just an exercise in curiosity. The data will be used to inform government policies and laws on issues like property rights, parental leave, child care, education and elder care. Businesses will likely use the information to develop new products and services.
The census numbers also give Canadians a chance to adjust to the new reality of family, to talk about it and try to understand it, according to Spinks.
“Be patient with it, adapt to it and maintain the core of understanding, love and support,” Spinks said of the changing face of family.
Global News will be there for the big reveal on Wednesday and will bring the most current picture of the ever-changing face of the Canadian family.
Visit GlobalNews.ca starting at 8:30 a.m. ET where you’ll get the following:
- Detailed interactive maps showing what families look like in your neighbourhood.
- Stories profiling Canadian families and what brought and keeps them together.
- All the latest numbers showing what the Canadian family looks like.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.