Home Ownership vs Renting - Global

How Housing Data Was Gathered for Canada’s 2021 Census and 2024 Canadian Housing Survey

Below are detailed explanations of how data was collected for the 2021 Census of Population and the 2024 Canadian Housing Survey (CHS), focusing on homeownership and renting rates in Canada. Both are conducted by Statistics Canada, but they differ significantly in scope, methodology, and purpose. Links to official sources are provided for further reference.

2021 Census of Population (Statistics Canada)

The 2021 Census of Population is a mandatory, nationwide enumeration conducted every five years under the Statistics Act. It aims to count every person and household in Canada (except certain First Nations reserves, which use a separate process) and collect demographic, social, and housing data, including homeownership and renting rates. The reference date was May 11, 2021, with data collection running from May 3 to September 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, collection prioritized contactless methods, achieving a ~97% response rate across ~14.5 million households.

Data Collection Methods

• - Online Self-Response (~86% of households): Households received a mailed letter with a secure access code to complete the census online via Statistics Canada’s website. Real-time validation reduced errors. Reminders were sent via mail, email, or phone.
• - Paper Questionnaires: Available on request via the Census Help Line. Households could mail back forms or, in some areas, drop them off or have them picked up.
• - Telephone/In-Person Follow-Up: Non-respondents were contacted by phone. In remote, northern, or Indigenous communities (~1% of dwellings), ~31,000 enumerators and 900 supervisors conducted interviews in person or by phone if self-response wasn’t feasible.
• - Tenure Question: Homeownership was determined via Question E1 in the housing section: “Is this dwelling: (a) Owned by you or a member of this household (with or without a mortgage)? (b) Rented? (c) Occupied without payment of rent?” Asked on both short-form (~75% of households) and long-form (~25%, randomly selected) questionnaires, answered by the primary household maintainer.
• - Validation: Questions were tested in the 2019 Census Test with 135,000+ households. Non-response for housing questions was low (<5%), with missing data imputed using similar households’ responses.

Key Sources for Methodology

• - Guide to the Census of Population, 2021 (Comprehensive overview of content, sampling, collection, processing, and quality):
  https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/98-304/index-eng.cfm
  Covers questionnaire types, delivery methods, wave methodology (phased invitations/reminders), and follow-ups in special areas.
• - 4. Census Data Collection (Detailed chapter on collection procedures and COVID adaptations):
  https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/98-303/2021001/chap4-eng.cfm
  Describes contactless processes, enumerator roles, and achieving high response rates.
• - The 2021 Census of Population: 5. Data Collection (White paper on planned approach, legal framework, and operations):
  https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/98-26-0001/2020001/005-eng.cfm
  Details enumeration of special populations (e.g., Canadians abroad) and safety protocols.
• - Main Census Portal: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm
  Links to resources, videos, and data tables (e.g., Table 98-10-0248-01 for provincial tenure).

2024 Canadian Housing Survey (CHS)

The Canadian Housing Survey (CHS) is a biennial, voluntary sample survey conducted by Statistics Canada in partnership with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). It targets ~50,000–100,000 households in the 10 provinces (excluding territories and certain collective dwellings like institutions). The survey focuses on housing needs, affordability, satisfaction, and tenure (homeownership/renting). The 2024 wave ran from October 28, 2024, to March 31, 2025, using phone, online, or in-person interviews. It supplements self-reported data with administrative records (e.g., tax files for income) and is weighted to represent the population.

Data Collection Methods

• - Sample Selection: Households are randomly selected from a frame based on census data, excluding ~2% of the population (e.g., institutional residents, some Indigenous communities). The sample is stratified to ensure provincial representation.
• - Collection Modes:
  • - Online: Respondents receive invitations (mail/email) with access codes to complete the survey online.
  • - Phone: Follow-up calls for non-respondents or those preferring telephone interviews.
  • - In-Person: Limited to specific cases (e.g., remote areas or accessibility needs), conducted by trained interviewers.
• - Tenure Question: Similar to the census, respondents (typically the household member most knowledgeable about housing, aged 15+) are asked about dwelling tenure (owned with/without mortgage, rented, or rent-free). The exact wording aligns with census standards for comparability but may include additional housing questions (e.g., affordability, first-time buyers).
• - Administrative Data: Linked with census and tax records to reduce response burden (e.g., for income or household size), with consent.
• - Validation: Statistical weighting adjusts for non-response and sampling biases. The survey undergoes content consultation with CMHC and stakeholders to ensure relevance.

Key Sources for Methodology

• - Surveys and Statistical Programs - Canadian Housing Survey (SDDS 5269) (Official metadata on collection, population, and questionnaire development):
  https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=5269
  Covers direct collection (interviews/questionnaires), administrative data linkage, and exclusions (territories, institutions).
• - Canadian Housing Survey Overview (General description, purpose, and confidentiality):
  https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/survey/household/5269
  Explains the survey’s role in the National Housing Strategy and includes a 2024 collection brochure (PDF).
• - Release Plan and Concepts Overview of the 2018 CHS (Methodology applicable to later waves, including objectives and collection modes):
  https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/statistical-programs/document/5269_D1_V1
  Details biennial schedule (until 2028), sample design, and tenure-related questions.
• - CMHC CHS Page: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-research/surveys/canadian-housing-survey
  Links to Statistics Canada methodology and preliminary 2024 results (full release expected mid-2025).

Key Differences

• - Census: Full count, mandatory, broader scope (all households, including territories), conducted every 5 years. Highly accurate but less frequent.
• - CHS: Sample-based, voluntary, focused on housing, excludes territories, conducted biennially. More current but subject to sampling error (±1-2%).

For the most authoritative historical data, use the 2021 Census. For 2024 estimates (like those on TenantRights.ca), check CHS releases on Statistics Canada or CMHC’s sites, noting that final 2024 data may still be forthcoming as of September 2025.