Canada and the World

        Current Events with a Canadian Perspective

 

Last update

23 January 2012

Site map

History of Canada’s Census

 

Most government programs rely heavily

on data collected during census taking

 

The count started in 1665. That was the year Jean Talon arrived in North America. France’s King Louis XIV sent the redoubtable M. Talon to put together a report on how well his colony was doing.

 

The Governor was in charge of the colony of New France, but it was Jean Talon (left) who did most of the heavy lifting.

 

As a smart manager, he knew that the first thing to do was find out what assets he had to work with.

 

During the winter of 1665-66, Talon went from door-to-door and wrote down the name, age, occupation, and marital status of everyone he found.

 

First Census Results

Also, he measured the value of industry, agriculture, lumber, and mineral resources; and he counted the number of domestic animals, government buildings, and churches.

 

Altogether, there were 3,215 people of European descent – 2,034 men and 1,181 women. Talon did not count Aboriginal people.

 

There were three major settlements; Quebec, with more than 2,100 people, Montreal had 635, and Trois-Rivieres had 455.

 

Part of Jean Talon’s job was to make the colony prosper and his census showed him where his first problem was — there were at least 853 lonely bachelors.

 

The solution was to bring in some mates for these men. So, 900 young women were recruited in France. They were called “les filles du roi” — daughters of the king — and they quickly found husbands in the distant colony.

 

During Talon’s seven years in New France, the population climbed from 3,200 to 7,600. Ever since, governments have used the figures from census-taking as a vital tool in policy making.

 

The first census after Confederation was taken in 1871 and contained 211 questions. This census gathered information about the ethnic origins of Canadians and included a count of First Nations people. Household were also asked if any members were “blind, deaf, or simple minded.” This question was dropped in 1911.

 

Population Count

The census is a huge undertaking that is done once every five years, most recently in May 2011. There is a short form with just eight questions on it which all households are required by law to fill out.

 

The long form goes into much more details and asks hundreds of questions. It is sent to a randomly selected sample of Canadian households. Until 2011 filling out this long form was also compulsory for those households that received it. However, the government made the long form voluntary for the 2011 census.

 

It provides vital information for government and businesses, which they can use for planning purposes.

 

For example, census data is used to set the distribution of seats in the House of Commons. As a result of the 2001 census, there was an increase in the number of seats in the House of Commons from 301 to 308. Three additional seats went to Ontario, two additional seats to Alberta, and two additional seats to British Columbia. This is because of population increases.

 

Census data is also used to determine the level of equalization payments. This is federal tax money that is paid to less wealthy provinces in an attempt to ensure that all Canadians enjoy access to a similar level of public services.

 

The questions asked in censuses have changed over the years, reflecting the changes in the nature of the country.

 

In 1971, the census no longer contained a question about indoor plumbing; by then the use of outhouses had pretty much vanished.

 

In 1991, questions were added about common-law relationships. This acknowledged the growth in the number of couples living together without being legally married. Likewise, the 2001 census added questions about same-sex relationships.

 

Sources

“History of the Census of Canada.” Statistics Canada, November 25, 2011.

 

© Canada and the World, January 2012

All rights reserved

 

 

 

 

 

Census of Canada

CENSUS TIMELINE

 

1666-1871: Censuses focused on gathering information on housing stock and weapons such as muskets and swords owned by households. Later questions were added on livestock, crops, buildings, churches, and grist mills. Questions about race, religion, and ethnic origin were introduced in 1765.

 

1871: First national census. The main goal was to determine appropriate representation by population in the new Parliament.

 

1881: All census takers had to swear an oath of secrecy. Census was extended to include British Columbia, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island.

 

1901: Census grew from 216 questions to 561 questions.

 

1906: Prairie provinces started separate agriculture census to monitor the growth of the West; this was merged with regular census in 1956.

 

1931: New sorter-tabulator equipment made data processing 50 times faster.

 

1971: The first census based on self-enumeration (respondents complete their own questionnaire), rather than interviews.

 

1986: Census forms became available in braille, audio cassette, and large print.

1996: Census forms were translated into 49 non-official languages.

 

2006: For the first time, the census counted same-sex married couples; this followed the legalization of same-sex marriages in Canada in July 2005. Also, for the first time, families were given the option of completing the census on-line; 18.5% of Canadians did so.

 

2011: Controversially, the government made filling out the long form of the census voluntary. This prompted Canada’s Chief Statistician Munir Sheikh to resign, saying removing the compulsory requirement would corrupt the data collected.

 

 

Statistics Canada estimates the country’s population to be 34 million.