The 1996 Census public use microdata file (PUMF) on families contains data based on a 2.8% sample of the population enumerated in the census. It provides information on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the Canadian population. The file contains details of family composition in Canada, such as information on labour force activity and income for census family and non-family persons. Four new questions were added in 1996: Aboriginal self-reporting, population group, unpaid activities, and method of tranportation used to get to work.

The 1991 Census Public Use Microdata File (PUMF) on Families contains data based on a sample of families and nonfamily persons, representing approximately 3% of all those enumerated in the 1991 Census. Data are presented on family composition and structure. Demographic, social, cultural and economic information is provided for families, their members and for non-family person.

The 2001 Census Public Use Microdata File (PUMF) on Families contains data based on a 2.7% sample of the population enumerated in the census. It provides information on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the census families and non-family persons. This microdata file allows users to group and manipulate the data to suit their own requirements. The documentation (metadata) provided in the PUMF on families is divided into four chapters: Chapter I contains the record layout, an essential tool for using the file; Chapter II describes the variables included in the file; Chapters III and IV deal with the sampling method and data quality. There are two other public use microdata files: one on individuals and another on households and housing. For the 2001 Census, several changes were made to the census family concept: Two persons living in a same-sex common-law relationship, along with any of their children residing in the household, will be considered a census family. Children in a census family can have been previously married (as long as they are not currently living with a spouse or common-law partner). Previously, they had to be "never-married". A grandchild living in a three-generation household where the parent (middle generation) is never-married will, contrary to previous censuses, now be considered as a child in the census family of his or her parent, provided the grandchild is not living with his or her own spouse, common-law partner, or child. Traditionally, the census family usually consisted of the two older generations. A grandchild of another household member, where a middle-generation parent is not present, will now be considered as a child in the census family of his or her grandparent, provided the grandchild is not living with his or her own spouse, common-law partner, or child. Traditionally, such a grandchild would not be considered as the member of a census family. For same-sex common-law couples, the records were handled as follows: regardless of the sex of each partner, the census family reference person was designated as the male common-law partner, and his or her partner was designated as the female common-law partner. The question on religion, which is asked every 10 years, was re-introduced in 2001. In 2001, two new questions were added: one on the birthplace of parents and the other on the language of work. A second part was also added to the question on home language. In view of the legal recognition of same-sex couples, the census definition of a common-law couple was changed to "two people of the opposite sex or of the same sex who live together as a couple but who are not legally married to each other". The question on fertility was not asked in the 2001 census.