Statistics Canada yesterday published its report, 2021 Census of Population Consultation Results: What we heard from Canadians, and genealogists were recognized as a group within the general public who responded to an online questionnaire.
The consultation process started in September 2017 and ended in May 2018. It involved an online survey with all Canadians and face-to-face discussions with federal departments, other organizations, and First Nations, Métis and Inuit stakeholders.
Consulting with census data users and the Canadian public allows Statistics Canada to identify whether or not the questions asked in the census are relevant, how census data is used, and how important the census is to Canadians. A formal consultation is set at the start of each census cycle. During that time, Statistics Canada invites data users, stakeholders and the general public to provide feedback on what information they use, for what purpose and what, if any, data gaps Statistics Canada should consider addressing in the next census cycle.
Based on the consultation results, Statistics Canada has modified census questions and begun testing the changes. The census questions will be tested quantitatively among 250,000 households during the 2019 Census Test.
Census used for research
Research was given as the most common use for the census.
Responses to the survey indicate more than 70 percent of organizations and individuals use the census for research. Almost all academics (94%) and many federal departments (80%) reported using census data for research. Among the general public, demography and place of birth data stood out for their frequent use, reflecting the many responses from genealogists and individuals interested in family history.
Place of birth, citizenship, immigration
Questions on the place of birth of household members and their parents provide information about the diversity of Canada’s population and the movement of people within Canada and from other countries to Canada. They are used to assess the social and economic conditions of second-generation Canadians and help to understand
Canada’s immigration history.
Place of birth was first collected on the 1871 Census. A question on parents’ place of birth was added in 1891. Citizenship and year of immigration questions were first collected in the 1901 Census, and a question on landed immigrant status was first asked in 1991.
The 2016 citizenship question provides information on the legal citizenship status of Canada’s population. This information is used to estimate the number of potential voters and to plan citizenship classes and programs.
Non-government respondents, which would have included genealogists, tended to be interested in questions about ancestry, such as the precise place of birth of those born outside Canada and the place of birth of grandparents.
Government respondents were more focused on the motivations and details of immigration to Canada, such as ports of arrival, where immigrants landed and why, retention of immigrants by province and territory, and year of arrival (rather than the year they became a permanent resident).
Religion
The religion question is asked every 10 years and will be included in the 2021 Census.
Religion data were first collected in the 1871 Census of Population.
Education
Governments use information about education on the census to develop training and other programs to meet the changing needs of the workforce and specific groups, such as immigrants, First Nations people, Métis, Inuit and youth.
The 1871 Census collected information on school attendance. In 1941, a question was added about the highest grade of elementary or secondary schooling attained. More education questions were added in 1961 (e.g., highest level of schooling, highest certificate, and years of university schooling).
Military service
Statistics Canada proposed a new question for the 2021 Census on the number of people with Canadian military experience. Governments will use this information to develop programs and services.
The Census of Population first collected information on wartime service in 1951. Wartime service information was collected again in 1961 and last collected in 1971.
Sex and gender
The 2019 Census Test includes the more precise term “sex at birth,” and a new question about gender, to collect information on the gender identities of people in Canada and improve policy planning and programs.
2019 Census Test
After statistically analyzing the results of the 2019 Census Test and considering costs and other factors, Statistics Canada will make recommendations to the government, which will determine the final content of the 2021 Census questionnaire.
