Time Use Survey

Detailed information for 2022

Status:

Active

Frequency:

Every 5 years

Record number:

4503

The primary objectives of the Time Use Survey are: to gather data on how Canadians use their time in a day in order to monitor changes over time, particularly around paid and unpaid work (including caregiving), transportation, and personal care; and to provide information on specific social policy issues of current or emerging interest.

Data release - To be determined

Description

This survey monitors changes in time use to better understand how Canadians spend and manage their time and what contributes to their well-being and stress.

The data collected provides information to all levels of government when making funding decisions, developing priorities and identifying areas of concern for legislation, new policies and programs. Researchers and other data users use this information to inform the Canadian population about the changing nature of time use in Canada such as:
- How many hours are we working?
- How much time is spent commuting?
- Do we have flexible work schedules?
- How much time do mothers and fathers spend on childcare?
- How much time is spent playing sports, participating in leisure activities or volunteering?
- Are Canadians getting more or less sleep then we used to?
- Are we satisfied with the balance between work and life?

Statistical activity

This record is part of the General Social Survey (GSS) program and originated in 1985. Starting in 2022, the General Social Survey will now be referred to as the General Social Statistics Program (GSSP) to better reflect that data will be integrated from administrative data, statistical modelling and alternative data collection approaches, in addition to a detailed survey on a given topic. The GSSP is made of surveys on core topics, using focus or exploratory questions and a standard set of socio-demographic questions used for classification. More recent surveys have also included some qualitative questions, which explore intentions and perceptions.

Subjects

  • Society and community
  • Time use

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population for the Time Use Survey is all non-institutionalized persons and non-residents of First Nations reserves 15 years of age or older, living in the 10 provinces of Canada.

The target population for the SFT is all persons between the age of 20 and 79 years old, living in private dwellings in the 10 provinces of Canada.

Excluded from the survey's coverage:
- residents of Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut,
- full-time residents of institutions and other collective dwellings,
- residents of reserves and other Indigenous settlements.

Instrument design

The questionnaire design was based on results of qualitative testing done by Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre (QDRC). This included a detailed report of participant feedback and interviewer observations written by QDRC staff. All comments and feedback from qualitative testing were carefully considered and incorporated into the survey whenever possible.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

The frame for the survey consists of both the Dwelling Universe File (DUF) and the Building Universe File (BUF).
The sample is based on a stratified design employing probability sampling. The stratification is done at the province level and the population city centre level. Information is collected from one randomly selected household member aged 15 or older, and proxy responses are not permitted.

Sampling Unit
The Time Use Survey (TUS) uses a two-stage sampling design. The sampling unit is the household. The final stage unit is an individual within the identified household.

Stratification Method
The 2022 TUS frame is stratified by province and population city centre. A sample of dwellings is selected independently within each stratum.

Sampling and sub-sampling
Sufficient sample is allocated to each of the provinces so that the survey can produce provincial and national level estimates.

For the survey, a single eligible member of each sampled household is selected by the age-order selection method to complete the questionnaire for a specific day.

A field sample of approximately 55,000 dwellings was selected.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2022-07-16 to 2023-07-15

Responding to this survey is voluntary.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Data are collected using an electronic questionnaire and the computer-assisted telephone interviewing method. First contact is made by an introduction letter in the mail explaining the survey. Households may receive an e-mail invitation or a telephone call from a Statistics Canada interviewer to complete the survey. A non-responding household may receive up to three reminders by e-mail or mail before they are contacted by an interviewer. Respondents have the choice to complete their questionnaire in French or English.

The average time to complete the survey is 40 minutes.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Imputation

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Estimation

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Quality evaluation

The metadata will be provided upon release.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Data accuracy

The metadata will be provided upon release.

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