First Languages Spoken
Census participants may select all languages first spoken by the student or write responses in the open-ended text box if a language is not listed.
Indigenous Identity
First Nation is a term used to identify Indigenous peoples of what we now know as Canada who are neither Métis nor Inuit. First Nations people include Status and Non-Status. There are more than 630 First Nation communities in Canada, which represent more than 50 Nations
Inuit: The name “Inuit” comes directly from the Inuktitut language and is the preferred term of the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic.
Métis: The Métis National Council General Assembly adopted the following “National Definition” in 2002: “Métis” means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation Ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation.”
Ethnic Origin
Ethnicity refers to a person’s ethnic or cultural origins. Ethnic groups have a common identity, heritage, ancestry or historical past, often with easily identifiable cultural, linguistic or religious characteristics.
Racial Background
This question is about the participant's racial identity. Racial background is not the same as citizenship or nationality. If the participant has multiple racial identities they may select all that apply. Use the open-ended text box to enter your response if the participant's racial identity is not listed.
Religious or Spiritual Affiliation
This question asks about the participant's religious or spiritual beliefs. If none of the categories listed represent the participant's beliefs, use the open-ended text box to enter a response.
Gender Identity
Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense or feeling of being a woman, a man, both, neither, or anywhere on the gender spectrum. A person’s gender identity may be different from the sex assigned at birth; female, male, or intersex (individuals born with any of several variations in sex characteristics that do not fit with typical conceptions of “male” or “female” bodies). Gender identity is different from a person’s sexual orientation.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sense of sexual or romantic interest and/or attraction to people. It covers the range of human sexuality and is different from gender identity
Disability or Condition
Some people identify as having a disability because of a permanent or long-term condition that makes it difficult for them to function in an environment that is not fully inclusive and accessible. A person’s disability may be diagnosed or not diagnosed. It may be hidden or visible. Some students who have disabilities may have an individual education plan at school to support them (an Individual Education Plan or IEP), but some do not.
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Defining disability is a complex, evolving matter. Disability is a term that covers a broad range and degree of conditions, some visible and others not (e.g., physical, mental, and learning disabilities, hearing or vision disabilities; epilepsy, environmental sensitivities). A disability may be present from birth, may be caused by an accident, or may develop over time.
Status in Canada
This question asks if the student was born in Canada and then their current status: Canadian citizen, international/Visa student, landed immigrant/permanent resident or a refugee claimant/asylum seeker.
Well-being
Well-being refers to student’s experiences at school including sense of belonging, presence of trusted adults and experiences with bullying.