STATISTICS CANADA DEFINITIONS OF MARITAL STATUS
Married (and not separated) – persons whose opposite-or same-sex spouse is living, unless the couple is separated or a divorce has been obtained. Also included are persons in civil unions.
Living common law –persons who are living with a person of the opposite sex or of the same sex as a couple but who are not legally married to that person. It includes situations where the members of such a couple are living apart because of illness, work or school.
Widowed (not living common law) – persons who have lost their legally-married spouse through death and who have not remarried. Those who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
Separated (not living common-law) – persons currently legally married but who are no longer living with their spouse (for any reason other than illness, work or school) and have not obtained a divorce. Those who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
Divorced (not living common-law) – persons who have obtained a legal divorce and have not remarried. Those who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
Single (not living common-law – Persons who have never married (including all persons less than 15 years of age). Also includes persons who marriage has been legally annulled who were single before the annulled marriage and who have never remarried. Those who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
FURTHER DEFINITIONS FOR SINGLE STATUS CLARIFICATION IN THIS BLOG
Ever-Single –Social definition to describe persons who have never married or lived common-law and have never had children.
Single Parent-Divorced or single person with children. Single parents tend to be included in financial formulas more so than ever singles or early in life divorced persons.
Early in life divorced persons (for example in thirties or forties) – These persons are less likely to be able to achieve same financial power and wealth as late in life divorced persons.
Late in life divorced persons (for example in fifties, sixties or later) – These persons are more likely to achieve financial power and wealth during years as married for coupled persons, especially if married or coupled for twenty or thirty or more years.