Data Equity
What is Data Equity?
Social Identity Data refers to information individuals or groups use to self-identify or categorize themselves based on characteristics such as age, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, Indigenous identity, place of birth, race, sexual orientation, and language.
Data equity involves making intentional choices in the collection and use of data tocenter and support the communities and individuals our services and programs aim to prioritize.
More granular data helps us understand who we serve and how we can better meet diverse needs. It’s a key step toward equity, accountability, and community impact. By working together, we’re shaping how this work grows across our sector—with care, community voice, and collaboration at its core.
Why is Data Equity Important?
Dimensions of Social Identity Data
Social Identifiers
Data equity recognizes that individuals’ experience of the world is shaped by social identity. Much of the way individuals live in this world is defined by key social identifiers, including:
Age
Who is a youth? How do we define an older adult?
Place of Birth
Links to immigration status, culture and much more
Gender Identity
Capturing the rich diversity of people’s experiences
Language
Can include mother tongue; home language; Understanding of Official Language
Indigenous Identity
Requires additional considerations around ownership and use
Household Size
Can speak to whether people need act as a caregiver or are alone
Disability
Encompasses congenital and acquired, permanent, temporary and episodic conditions
Postal Code
Can predict social identities at neighbourhood level
Sexual Orientation
Consider current and changing terminologies
Household income
Can indicate what additional barriers and supports might be needed
Race
Can be intertwined with national and ethnic identities as is done in Statistics Canada data collection and reporting.
Ethnicity
Can be entwined with identities around Race, Religion and Language