Variables - mandatory and optional
Last updated on January 29, 2026The introduction of this standard does not mean that all ministries must collect the mandatory variable below or that ministries collecting under another legislative authority must only collect the variables in this standard.
However, if you're collecting racial identity information under the Anti-Racism Data Act, you must collect the mandatory variables in this standard and the Indigenous Identity Data Standard. Unless it’s required to provide a service, individuals must always be given the choice about whether they provide this information and if they decline to answer this cannot impact their services.
On this page
- Mandatory variable: Race
- Optional variable: Ethnicity
- Optional variable: Religion or spirituality
- Optional variable: Visible markers of religion or spirituality
- Optional variable: Arrival year
- Optional variable: English language proficiency
- Optional variable: Service language
This standard specifies one mandatory and several optional data variables and includes applicable values for each.
Ministries can choose to collect optional variables if they are relevant for their policies, programs and services and the data is being collected for the purposes of identifying and eliminating systemic racism and advancing racial equity. Ministries should carefully consider which variables are necessary prior to collection.
Optional variables should always be asked after mandatory variables. See the section on the order of data collection in the Guidelines to the Indigenous Identity and Racial Identity Data Standards for more information about the order of questions.
Purpose
This mandatory variable indicates which race(s) a person self-identifies as.
Preamble
In society, people may experience systemic barriers based on their race. Race is not based in science but is socially created based on where people come from or how they look. Classifying or categorizing people based on race creates social hierarchies and power imbalances, and can affect the way people are treated by individuals and institutions.
Question
“How would you best describe your race? Select all that apply.”
Data values
Note: When asking this variable, display both the label and examples for each value in the answer options.
| Label | Examples | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. "Black" | African, Afro-Canadian, Afro-Caribbean, Jamaican, Nigerian descent, etc. | BLACK | Individual identifies as Black |
| 2. "East Asian" | Chinese, Hong Konger, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese descent, etc. | EAST_ASIAN | Individual identifies as East Asian |
| 3. "Indigenous" | First Nations, Inuit, Métis descent | INDIGENOUS | Individual identifies as Indigenous |
| 4. "Latin American" | Brazilian, Central American, South American, Mexican, Latine descent, etc. | LATIN_AMERICAN | Individual identifies as Latin American |
| 5. "Middle Eastern" | Arab, Afghan, Egyptian, Iranian, West Asian descent, etc. | MIDDLE_EASTERN | Individual identifies as Middle Eastern |
| 6. "South Asian" | Bangladeshi, Indian, Indo-Caribbean, Indo-Fijian, Pakistani descent, etc. | SOUTH_ASIAN | Individual identifies as South Asian |
| 7. "Southeast Asian" | Cambodian, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese descent, etc. | SOUTHEAST_ASIAN | Individual identifies as Southeast Asian |
| 8. "White" | British, European, German, Polish, Ukrainian descent, etc. | WHITE | Individual identifies as White |
| 9. "Another Racial Identity" | (No examples provided) |
ANOTHER_RACIAL_IDENTITY [optional free text response] |
Individual identifies as Another Racial Identity |
| 10. "I do not know / I am not sure" | (No examples provided) | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 11. "Prefer not to answer" | (No examples provided) | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Individuals may identify as being any of Black, East Asian, Indigenous, Latin American, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Southeast Asian, White or Another Racial Identity, including multiple combinations of these categories
- Use checkboxes instead of radio buttons to allow for more than one option to be selected
- Display the examples as well as the data values in the answer options for this question
- Data values for specified identities must be listed in alphabetical order. “I DO NOT KNOW/I AM NOT SURE” and “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” should always appear at the bottom of the form
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
- Data values should not be numbered in options for response
- The response for “ANOTHER RACIAL IDENTITY” may include a free text response with a 200-character limit that supports UTF-8 character encoding
Purpose
This optional variable indicates which ethnicity/ethnicities a person identifies as.
Preamble
Individuals may experience systemic barriers based on their ethnic or cultural origin. Ethnic groups have a common ancestry, identity, heritage or shared history, often with identifiable cultural values and traditions. Ethnic or cultural origins may include:
- Indigenous origins (for example, Cree, MÄori, Sami, etc.)
- Origins that refer to different countries or regions (for example, Chinese, Irish, Punjabi etc.)
- Other origins (for example, Arab, Jewish, Mennonite etc.)
Question
“What is your ethnic or cultural origin? Write or select all that apply.”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. “Ethnic Identity 1” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_1 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 1 |
| 2. “Ethnic Identity 2” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_2 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 2 |
| 3. “Ethnic Identity 3” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_3 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 3 |
| 4. “Ethnic Identity 4” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_4 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 4 |
| 5. “Ethnic Identity 5” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_5 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 5 |
| 6. “Ethnic Identity 6” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_6 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 6 |
| 7. “Ethnic Identity 7” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_7 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 7 |
| 8. “Ethnic Identity 8” |
ETHNIC_IDENTITY_8 [free text response] |
Individual identifies as the open response provided for Ethnic Identity 8 |
| 9. “I do not know / I am not sure” | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 10. “Prefer not to answer” | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Drop-down menus of ethnic and cultural origins should be provided rather than open responses. Drop-down menus should use language from the categories and subcategories from the most recent Statistics Canada list of ethnic or cultural origins
- If a free text response is required due to system limitations the response for each ethnicity may include a free text response with a 100-character limit that supports UTF-8 character encoding
- Individuals may write in or select up to eight ethnic or cultural origins, including multiple combinations of responses
- Use checkboxes for the “I DO NOT KNOW/I AM NOT SURE” and “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” responses. These values should be used even if a drop-down menu is not used
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
Purpose
This optional variable indicates which religion or spirituality a person identifies with, if any.
Preamble
Individuals may experience systemic barriers based on their religion or spirituality. A person can self-identify as having a connection with any religion, religious community or system of belief.
Question
“How would you best describe your religion or spirituality? Select all that apply.”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Buddhist" | BUDDHIST | Individual identifies as Buddhist |
| 2. "Christian" | CHRISTIAN | Individual identifies as Christian |
| 3. "Hindu" | HINDU | Individual identifies as Hindu |
| 4. "Indigenous Spirituality" | INDIGENOUS_SPIRITUALITY | Individual identifies as practising Indigenous Spirituality |
| 5. "Jewish" | JEWISH | Individual identifies as Jewish |
| 6. "Muslim" | MUSLIM | Individual identifies as Muslim |
| 7. "Sikh" | SIKH | Individual identifies as Sikh |
| 8. "Spiritual" | SPIRITUAL | Individual identifies as Spiritual |
| 9. "Another religion or spirituality not listed" |
ANOTHER_RELIGION_OR_SPIRITUALITY [optional free text response] |
Individual identifies as having another religion or spirituality not listed |
| 10. "No religion or spirituality" | NO_RELIGION_OR_SPIRITUALITY | Individual identifies as having no religion or spirituality |
| 11. "I do not know / I am not sure" | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 12. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Use checkboxes for all values. If you need more detailed information, include a follow-up question with an open text box
- If a free text response is required for “ANOTHER RELIGION OR SPIRITUALITY NOT LISTED” the response for each ethnicity may include a free text response with a 100-character limit that supports UTF-8 character encoding
- Data values for specified identities must be listed in the order shown above. “I DO NOT KNOW/I AM NOT SURE” and “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” should always appear at the bottom of the form
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
Purpose
This optional variable indicates if and how often a person wears or has visible markers of their religion or spirituality.
Preamble
An individual may experience systemic barriers if they wear or show symbols of their religious or spiritual beliefs. These symbols can include head coverings, clothing, jewellery, items worn or carried, hair and grooming practices, tattoos or bodily adornments.
Question
“Do you display visible markers or symbols of religion and/or spirituality?”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Yes, most or all of the time" | MOST_OR_ALL_OF_THE_TIME | Individual displays visible markers of religion and/or spirituality most or all of the time |
| 2. "Yes, sometimes" | SOMETIMES | Individual sometimes displays visible markers of religion and/or spirituality |
| 3. "Yes, rarely" | RARELY | Individual rarely displays visible markers of religion and/or spirituality |
| 4. "No" | NO | Individual does not display visible markers of religion and/or spirituality |
| 5. "I do not know / I am not sure" | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 6. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Individuals are to choose the value that best represents if and how often they show visible markers or symbols of their religion and/or spirituality
- Use radio buttons
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
Purpose
This optional variable indicates what year a person arrived in Canada to live (also known as arrival year).
Preamble
Individuals may experience systemic racism and other barriers based on the length of time that they have lived in Canada. People who have spent longer in Canada may have an easier time navigating and accessing government programs and services than those who have not spent as much time in Canada.
Question
“What year did you first arrive in Canada to live? Select or write-in the option that most applies to you.”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "I was born in Canada" | BORN_IN_CANADA | Individual was born in Canada |
| 2. “I arrived in Canada in the year [year text response]” |
ARRIVED_IN_CANADA [year text response] |
Individual arrived in Canada to live in the year provided |
| 3. "I do not know / I am not sure" | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 4. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Individual to choose the value that best represents the year in which they first arrived in Canada to live
- Use radio buttons and a drop-down (preferred) or open text box (if drop-down unavailable) with a limit of 4 numeric characters for value 2
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
Purpose
This optional variable indicates how well a person understands, speaks, reads or writes English (also known as English language proficiency). It uses five response options: Very Well, Well, Not Well, Not at all, and Prefer not to answer.
Preamble
Government programs and services that are only offered in English can create barriers for people depending on how well they can understand, speak, read and write English. Knowing a person’s proficiency in English can help government identify language needs.
Question
“How well can you understand, speak, read and write English?”
Note: This question is to be asked in a response-grid format as shown below:
Check one box in each row:
| English language proficiency | Very Well | Well | Not Well | Not at all | Prefer not to answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understand (spoken) | ā | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| Speak | ā | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| Read | ā | ā | ā | ā | ā |
| Write | ā | ā | ā | ā | ā |
Data values by row
Variable: English Language Proficiency - Understand (Spoken)
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Understand very well" | UNDERSTAND_VERY_WELL | Individual understands (Spoken) English very well |
| 2. "Understand well" | UNDERSTAND_WELL | Individual understands (Spoken) English well |
| 3. "Understand not well" | UNDERSTAND_NOT_WELL | Individual does not understand (Spoken) English well |
| 4. "Understand not at all" | UNDERSTAND_NOT_AT_ALL | Individual does not understand (Spoken) English at all |
| 5. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Variable: English Language Proficiency - Speak
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Speak very well" | SPEAK_VERY_WELL | Individual speaks English very well |
| 2. "Speak well" | SPEAK_WELL | Individual speaks English well |
| 3. "Speak not well" | SPEAK_NOT_WELL | Individual does not speak English well |
| 4. "Speak not at all" | SPEAK_NOT_AT_ALL | Individual does not speak English well at all |
| 5. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Variable: English Language Proficiency - Read
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Read very well" | READ_VERY_WELL | Individual reads English very well |
| 2. "Read well" | READ_WELL | Individual reads English well |
| 3. "Read not well" | READ_NOT_WELL | Individual does not read English well |
| 4. "Read not at all" | READ_NOT_AT_ALL | Individual does not read English at all |
| 5. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Variable: English Language Proficiency - Write
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Write very well" | WRITE_VERY_WELL | Individual writes English very well |
| 2. "Write well" | WRITE_WELL | Individual writes English well |
| 3. "Write not well" | WRITE_NOT_WELL | Individual does not write English well |
| 4. "Write not at all" | WRITE_NOT_AT_ALL | Individual does not write English at all |
| 5. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Individual to choose the value that best indicates their proficiency in English
- Use check boxes, limited to one to each row
- Consider separating into four distinct questions if your system is unable to accommodate the grid format
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
Purpose
This optional variable indicates the language(s) a person is comfortable receiving government services in (also known as service language).
Preamble
People in B.C. speak multiple languages and it’s essential that government services reflect this strength and diversity. Knowing what languages people are comfortable using can help government identify barriers individuals may be facing as well as opportunities for improving access to services.
Question
“What languages would you feel comfortable receiving services in? Please list up to five language(s) spoken from most to least comfortable.”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Most comfortable service language" |
SERVICE_LANGUAGE_1 [free text response] |
Individual identifies the open response provided as their most comfortable service language |
| 2. "Second most comfortable service language" |
SERVICE_LANGUAGE_2 [free text response] |
Individual identifies the open response provided as their second most comfortable service language |
| 3. "Third most comfortable service language" |
SERVICE_LANGUAGE_3 [free text response] |
Individual identifies the open response provided as their third most comfortable service language |
| 4. "Fourth most comfortable service language" |
SERVICE_LANGUAGE_4 [free text response] |
Individual identifies the open response provided as their fourth most comfortable service language |
| 5. "Fifth most comfortable service language" |
SERVICE_LANGUAGE_5 [free text response] |
Individual identifies the open response provided as their fifth most comfortable service language |
| 6. "I do not know / I am not sure" | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 7. "Prefer not to answer" | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- Individual may select up to five languages, ranked from most comfortable to least comfortable
- Drop-down menus of languages should be provided rather than open responses. The language drop-down menus should use the most recent list of languages from Statistics Canada
- If a free text response is required due to system limitations the response for each service language may include a free text response with a 100-character limit that supports UTF-8 character encoding
- If two languages are used equally it will be up to the individual to choose how to order their responses
- Use checkboxes for the “I DO NOT KNOW/I AM NOT SURE” and “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” responses
- “PREFER NOT TO ANSWER” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service