Statistics Canada releases its third tranche of data from the 2011 census today. This one will be focused on families, households, marital status and dwelling types.

The data will make it clear that in this country, ``family'' can mean almost anything at all. At its most basic level, Statistics Canada defines a family as a couple (with or without children, married or common-law) or a lone parent with at least one child in the same house. In other words, it takes at least two people to make a family. Beyond that, almost anything goes.

There are skip-generation families, intact families, simple step families, complex step families, opposite-sex families and same-sex families. The census will go further than ever before in counting and describing stepfamilies and how their households are set up. For the first time, the census will be tracking the number of foster children.

Today's data will also reveal just how commonplace divorce and so-called blended families have become. On the marriage front, it will show how many same-sex couples
have formalized their relationships since gay marriage became legal in Canada. It should also detail how seniors are living -- in group homes, with relatives, or alone.

The data will be made public at 8:30 a-m E-T.

(The Canadian Press)