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1. Census Overview

1.1 Why do we need a census?

At various times, we all use public services — including schools, health services, roads, and libraries.

It is essential to have accurate information on the number of people, where they live and what their characteristics are, if these services are to keep pace with the fast-changing conditions of modern life.

Every five years in Canada we get a “picture” of the entire nation. We take a Census of Population and a Census of Agriculture to count the number of people living in each city, town, and country area.

We also gather information about each area and its population, such as the jobs people have and the type of housing units they live in.

Our decision makers use these accurate statistics to help make policies that will shape our country's future.

For further information, see About the 2006 Census.

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1.2 What exactly is a census?

Data can be collected using three main methods:

Each has advantages and disadvantages. The method used will depend on a number of factors. It is important to understand the difference between a census and other types of data collection.

For more information, see Types of data collection.

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1.3 The Census of Population

Every five years, Statistics Canada takes a census of population. The last census was on May 16, 2006. The census provides a comprehensive collection of facts about people in Canada.

For example, people are asked questions about their:

• age
• marital status
• employment
• ethnic origin
• gender
• education
• income
• language
• and other subjects.

The need for this kind of information increases as our society becomes more complex.

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1.4 History of the census

Census taking is not a new idea. During the third and fourth centuries BC, Babylonia, China, and Egypt enumerated their populations to collect taxes and to conscript men for military service.

The Romans were avid census takers and regularly held censuses to inform themselves about areas in their far-reaching empire.

In contrast to early censuses, later ones became more than just a way to levy taxes or to muster men for fighting. They were seen as an inquiry into the social and economic state of the nation.

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1.5 The first modern census

Intendant Jean Talon is generally regarded as having taken the first modern census. Sent by Louis XIV to administer the colony of New France, Talon recognized the importance of having reliable information as a basis on which to organize the colony and further its development.

This first census in 1666 enumerated 3,215 inhabitants and collected information on age, sex, marital status, locality, and occupation. A supplementary inquiry in 1667 investigated the area of cleared land and the number of cattle and sheep.

No fewer than 36 censuses were conducted during the French regime.

 

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1.6 National census

Eventually, with 1867 and Confederation, the British North America Act called for a Census of Canada to provide an official count of the population to determine the number of members in the House of Commons. The first national census was taken in 1871, with additional ones to be taken every ten years thereafter.

A Census Every Five Years

In 1956, the Dominion Bureau of Statistics began taking national censuses every five years to provide up-to-date information on the nation’s rapidly changing population. This mid-decade census was made mandatory in the Statistics Act of 1971. More information on the History of the Census in Canada can be found at: History of the Census in Canada and History of the Census.

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1.7 Who uses census data?

Census information is used by governments, businesses and industries, social organizations, and countless other agencies and individuals.

The federal government uses data from decennial censuses to determine the boundaries of federal electoral districts (FEDs). Census data are essential for producing the population estimates used to allocate transfer payments from the federal government to the provinces and territories, and from the provinces to the municipalities.

Governments at all levels use census data to plan policies on economic and social programs. In fact, census data are related to many federal-provincial laws, including federal transfer payments, old age security, official languages and war veterans’ allowances.

At the local level, municipalities use census data to assess the need for community programs and services such as transportation, police or youth services.

In our system of government, one member of Parliament is elected for each FED; therefore, the population of FEDs must be approximately equal. The figures from the 2001 Census resulted in the creation of 7 new FEDs, increasing the number of representatives in the House of Commons from 301 to 308.

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1.8 Other users of census data

Governments are not the only users of census data.

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1.9 A civic responsibility

It is vital that decision makers have accurate statistics when making policies that will shape our country’s future. For this reason, answering census questions is more than a civic responsibility: it is required by law.

The Statistics Act protects the confidentiality of the personal information provided by respondents while at the same time it requires their mandatory participation.

 

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1.10 Privacy and confidentiality

Under the Statistics Act, all personal census information must be kept confidential. Only Statistics Canada employees who have a need to examine individual forms have access to the completed questionnaires. All employees take an oath of confidentiality.

With completed census forms being mailed back or sent through a secure Internet channel to a central processing centre, no one has to submit a census form to a local census-taker they know.

Information from all questionnaires is combined, and the analyzed data is released to the public only in the form of statistics that do not identify individuals.

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