Canadian Census

Aggregate Data

Data that have been aggregated (as opposed to microdata). To aggregate, means to join together, or to add together smaller data units into larger totals.  Statistics Canada's aggregate data sets have typically been produced when microdata is unavailable, often due to privacy restrictions.  Some examples of Statistics Canada aggregate data include CANSIM time series' or Canadian Business Patterns which uses Beyond 20/20 to provide aggregate data

Census of Population

The Census of Population is conducted every five years by Statistics Canada.  The census is used to collect data about the population of Canada - people, households, and their demographic and socio-economic characteristics.  

Census of Agriculture

The Census of Agriculture is taken at the same time as the Census of Population - every five years.  In Canada, every person responsible for an operation such as a farm or ranch that produces agricultural products for sale is required to complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire. 

Geospatial Data

Geospatial data are used together with geographic information system (GIS) software to define geographic areas.  Examples of GIS software include ArcInfo and MapInfo, as well as the open source tools PSPP and R.  Geospatial data can be used in conjunction with census data through the use of a common geographic unit ID field.  

Metadata

"Data about data".  Metadata consists of information describing information.  Metadata can be administrative, structural, and/or descriptive, and some widely recognized metadata schemes include Dublin Core, AACR2/Marc, and EAD.

Microdata

Microdata is the data that is directly observed or collected from a specific unit of observation.  In Statistics Canada Census of Population files, this unit of observation is typically an individual, household, or family.   Statistics Canada microdata files must be used in conjunction with metadata before they can be employed for analysis and interpretation.

Public Use Microdata File (PUMF)

PUMFs are microdata files that have been made available for public use.  Statistics Canada has created PUMFs of census data, available by request through the Data Liberation Initiative or freely through the Statistics Canada website.  See, for example, the 2006 Census of Canada PUMF.

Canadian Census after 2001 are accessible through the Statistics Canada website. Older Censuses may need to be found in print through the TRU Library

Examples of Census-related Keyword Search Terms:

Census
Statistics Canada
Census Year (i.e. 1911, 1921, 1931 etc.)
Canada (or relevant province/city/census unit)

Search by Subject Heading

Library of Congress Subject Headings are used by academic libraries across North America and they often do not match everyday language. Therefore it is often better to initially choose the Search Everything option, then switch to a Subject search once the correct subject headings have been determined.

Census-related Subject Headings:

Census, 1871.
Canada Census, 1871.
Ontario Census, 1881.
British Columbia Census, 1911.
Canada Census, 2001.
Indians of North America--Canada Census, 2001.
Kamloops Region (B.C.)
Census districts--British Columbia--Kamloops Region--Statistics.
Census districts--British Columbia--Kelowna Region--Statistics.
Census districts--British Columbia--Statistics

Sources of Data, Information, and Statistics from Past Censuses in Canada

The following table lists the main census products available to the TRU community, by census year.  This list includes TRU Library holdings, such as the Library's complete collection of Canadian censuses to 1991 on microfilm, as well as a partial print collection which spans 1871-2001.  The list also includes electronic census products, some of which are available for free online or by request through the Data Liberation Initiative, and others being solely available offsite and through special requests (i.e. at one of Canada's Research Data Centres).  Available census products vary by year.  Contact Christina Nilsen, Data Services Librarian for more information or assistance.

Census provides a statistical portrait of the country every five years and is designed to provide information about people and housing units in Canada by their demographic, social and economic characteristics.

Statistics Canada slices the country up into various pieces and those pieces of information have a hierarchy.

Census Metropolitan Area (CMA): have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more must live in the core.

Census Agglomeration (CA): A census agglomeration must have a core population of at least 10,000.

Census SubDivision (CSD): Census subdivision (CSD) is the general term for municipalities or areas treated as municipal equivalents for statistical purposes

Census tracts (CT): are small, relatively stable geographic areas that usually have a population between 2,500 and 8,000 persons. They are located in census metropolitan areas and in census agglomerations that have a core population of 50,000 or more.

Dissemination Area (DA): Small area composed of one or more neighbouring dissemination blocks, with a population of 400 to 700 persons. All of Canada is divided into dissemination areas.

Dissemination Block (DB): Area equivalent to a city block bounded by intersecting streets. These areas cover all of Canada.

Each census tract is assigned a seven-character numeric 'name' (including leading zeros, the decimal point and trailing zeros).

To uniquely identify each census tract in its corresponding census metropolitan area (CMA) or tracted census agglomeration (CA), the three-digit CMA/CA code must precede the CT 'name.'

Example: 9250014.00  the 925 represents the CMA or CA and the 00014.00 represents the tract

Once you have your tract numbers, use them in the following tools:

Data quality notes: differences between the NHS and the census

The NHS was a voluntary survey; despite the fact that the questions were similar to those that would have been asked if the traditional long-form census questionnaire had been used, the methodological differences between the NHS and the census make comparing the data collected by both problematic:

The content of the NHS is similar to that of the 2006 Census long questionnaire. However, a number of changes were made to some questions and sections of the questionnaire. For example, the NHS measures a new component of income (capital gains or losses) and child care and support expenses; the questions used to measure Aboriginal identity were altered slightly; and the universe for determining generational status was expanded to include the entire population, not just the population aged 15 and over. In addition, the unpaid work section was not asked in the 2011 NHS.

Any significant change in survey method or content can affect the comparability of the data over time, and that applies to the NHS as well. It is impossible to determine with certainty whether, and to what extent, differences in a variable are attributable to an actual change or to non-response bias. Consequently, at every stage of processing, verification and dissemination, considerable effort was made to produce data that are as precise in their level of detail, and to ensure that the NHS's published estimates are of good quality in keeping with Statistics Canada standards.

Caution must be exercised when NHS estimates are compared with counts produced from the 2006 Census long form, especially when the analysis involves small geographies. Users are asked to use the NHS's main quality indicator, the global non-response rate (see Section 6.3), in assessing the quality of the NHS estimates and determining the extent to which the estimates can be compared with the counts from the 2006 Census long form. Users are also asked to read any quality notes that may be included in dissemination products. ("Chapter 5 -- Data quality assessment and indicators", NHS User Guide)

The data tables below are formatted in as a .cvs file, which can be imported into Excel.

History of the Census

The Canadian census has a long history. The first census was conducted in New France in 1666 by Jean Talon and many more were conducted in New France and British North America until Confederation in 1871. From that time forward, the legal purpose of the census was to determine representation in government and redistribute the seats every 10 years as population change warranted it. Census information is used for other important purposes such as the assignment of provincial transfer payments and the study of housing, health, education, and transportation needs.

The most important purpose of the Canadian census, however, is to provide by enumeration a snapshot of Canadian society. This data, when analyzed over time against the background of history and environment, provides an understanding of the evolution of Canadians and Canada.

Census Methodology: De jure vs. de facto

To properly interpret the Canadian census it is important to know that it is conducted using the de jure rather than the de facto principle. The de facto method is easier because it just assigns an individual to the locality where they are found on the census date. Under the de jure method an individual is enumerated as belonging to the locality that they normally reside in, even if on the census date they are elsewhere – visiting, non-resident students, patients in a hospital, armed forces, etc. The de jure method requires a lot more tracking of individuals; however, since the main reason for the census is for parliamentary representation, the use of the de jure method is necessary in Canada given its great geographical size and relatively small spread-out population.

Census timeline

Preconfederation

1666: Preconfederate Canada's first census, conducted in New France by Jean Talon
1840's:  Repeated unsuccessful attempts to conduct censuses in Canada West and Canada East
1851-2: Census of Upper and Lower Canada conducted
1861: Census of Upper and Lower Canada conducted

The first national censuses

1871: Canada's first national census following the Constitution Act, 1867, which mandated a decennial census
1881: Census takers were required to take an oath of secrecy; census extended to include B.C., Manitoba and P.E.I.
1891: For the first time, newspapers and churches advertised the upcoming census across Canada
1901: New questions on religion, birthplace, citizenship and immigration added to the census.  Canada's population reached 5,371,051

Special censuses of the prairie provinces begin

1906: First special census of the prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) conducted to track high population growth in western Canada
1911: Fifth decennial national census in Canada
1916: Second census of the prairie provinces

Interwar period

1921: Mechanical tabulation used for the first time to compile census results in Canada
1926: Third census of the prairie provinces
1931: New census questions regarding unemployment added to the national census
1936: Fourth census of the prairie provinces
1941: New questions on fertility and housing introduced; first use of sampling to collect additional information about dwellings

Postwar

1946: Fifth census of the prairie provinces
1951: Newfoundland included in the national census for the first time

Quinquennial census begins

1956: The first national quinquennial (mid-decade) census introduced to measure rapid population and economic growth.  Census of Agriculture and Census of Population taken every five years thereafter.  First use of television to publicize the census in Canada.
1961: New census question about education level; 20% sample of households were asked additional question about internal migration, fertility, and income
1966: Second mid-decade national census
1971: Self-enumeration and long/short forms replaced the interview method of enumeration; Dominion Bureau of Statistics now called Statistics Canada
1976: Third mid-decade national census; meaning of household "head" changed to mean either the husband OR the wife (instead of just husband)
1981: "Head" of household reference was eliminated
1986: Repeated most of the questions from the "full" census of 1981, unlike previous mid-decade "mini" censuses
1991: Question about "common-law" relationships included for the first time
1996: Census was translated into 49 non-official languages, including 12 aboriginal languages

21st century censuses

2001: Provided data on opposite and same sex common-law couples, with and without children living at home
2006: First online census questionnaire
2011: Mandatory long-form census questionnaire replaced by the voluntary National Household Survey

Bibliography

Curtis, B.  (2001).  The politics of population: State formation, statistics, and the census of Canada, 1840-1875.  Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Jean Talon. (n.d.). In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0007860

Library and Archives Canada.  (2008).  Discover the collection: Censuses.  Retrieved from http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/Pages/census.aspx​  

Statistics Canada.  (2005).  History of the census in Canada.  Retrieved from http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/info/history.cfm

Statistics Canada.  (2011).  National Household Survey.  Retrieved from http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=5178  

Worton, D. A.  (1998).  The Dominion Bureau of Statistics: A history of Canada's central statistical office and its antecedents, 1841-1972. 
           Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.

On June 26, 2010, Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, announced that the new, voluntary National Household Survey would replace the mandatory long-form census questionnaire in Canada. The government's decision fueled a heated debate between those who viewed the previously mandatory long-form questionnaire as an invasion of privacy, and those who saw it as an important source of information essential to to public policy, research and business. The mandatory long-form census was restored by the Trudeau government in advance of the 2016 census, and participation levels reached a record high of 99%.

Here are some TRU library books about the Census in Canada.  Please note: E-Books are restricted to current TRU students, staff and faculty

In Canada, the collection of data pertaining to Aboriginal Peoples pre-dates Confederation, and over time, the language used to describe Aboriginal peoples has shifted, including at various points in time: Indian, Native, Aboriginal and First Nations.  These changes are bound up in broader social, political, and historical contexts, and are connected to how the state has defined and counted "Aboriginal persons" in past and present times.