On May 10, all Canadians will be asked to count themselves in. That includes YOU, so expect your family to get a letter from Statistics Canada. It will be all about the 2016 Census of Population. What is a census? The word census comes from the Latin word censere, meaning to assess. Canada s census is a nationwide survey held every five years. It collects demographic information on every man, woman and child. Census data offers a snapshot of Canada s population. By comparing one census to the next, analysts can see how Canada is changing. How it works Every Canadian household will receive a census package around May 2. Statistics Canada wants people to complete the census questionnaire online, so most homes won t receive a paper survey. Instead, they ll get a letter explaining how to respond online. However, if people prefer, they can have a paper copy mailed to them. One adult per home must fill in the questionnaire about all the people who live in the house. In less populated areas, interviewers deliver the survey. About 35,000 Canadians will be paid to complete the work this time around. Most households get the short form census. It asks 10 basic questions about age, sex, marital status, relationship to others in the household, and language. One in four homes also gets the long form census with more than 60 questions. It collects Our Far-Reaching Census Canada s first census was conducted in 1871. Today, our census covers more than 9.2 million square kilometres and reaches over 15 million households. Questionnaires are sent to Canadians working for the federal government overseas, as well as to Canadian embassies and the Armed Forces. Census questions have been translated into 20 ethnic languages and 11 Aboriginal languages but answers must be given in English or French. details about the residents role in their community. It also asks about cultural background, spoken languages, family relationships and childcare. It covers schooling, employment, Definitions demography: the study of the characteristics of human populations, such as size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics statistics canada: Canadian federal government agency commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture 2015/2016: Issue 7 What in the world? Le vel 1 Page 3
income, ability, housing and transportation. Many questions stay the same from census to census. That way, researchers can compare data across several decades. The completed forms go back to Statistics Canada. There, they are entered into a database. All this data is sorted and cross-referenced. Analysts then extract useful statistics, such as the number of school-aged children in Regina in 2016. Why conduct a census? The government isn t being nosy when it asks these questions. Census information is needed for planning and decision making. We all use public services such as schools, hospitals, fire/police protection, and roads. Census data is used to decide where these services are needed most. The health care industry uses the data to forecast needs and costs. Using past census data, Statistics Canada has found that the proportion of Canadians aged 65 and over will triple between 1976 and 2051. The proportion of seniors over 80 is growing especially fast. That s important information to know for planning. One reason health care costs are going up is that the population most needy of health care is [aging too], said one researcher. More uses The federal government uses census data to set the boundaries of federal electoral districts. Each riding elects one federal Member of Parliament so to be fair, the population of each riding is reviewed after each census and boundaries are adjusted to maintain balance. Data from the 2011 census resulted in the creation of 30 new electoral districts. That increased the number of Federal MPs in Parliament from 308 to 338. Census information also helps set transfer payments to provinces. That s money the provinces use to fund health care and other social services. Businesses, media, industry and universities use this information, too. It helps in everything from research to choosing locations for stores or offices. It s the law Every household must complete the survey. Those who refuse risk a fine or even jail time. Some say the government shouldn t be asking personal questions. They worry about A long-form controversy The former Conservative government tried a different type of census in 2011. It replaced the mandatory long form census with a shorter, voluntary questionnaire called the National Household Survey (NHS). Every household had to complete the short form. However, those who also received the NHS could choose whether or not to send it back. The effort failed. Only 69 percent of the NHS surveys were returned, compared to 94 percent of long form surveys in 2006. When the Liberals took power in October, they brought back the long form census. For 2016, the questions will be the same as those on the NHS because there isn t time to change them. However, households that receive the long form must complete it. how the information will be used. However, confidentiality is protected by law. Census databases never attach a name or address to a file, so no one can be identified. As well, the data asked for must be clearly in the public interest and not available from other sources. J Definitions cross-reference: to link one part of a book, index, catalogue, or file to another part containing related information Page 4 What in the world? Le vel 1 2015/2016: Issue 7
ON THE LINES Answer the following in complete sentences: 1. Explain what a census is. 2. How often is a census conducted in Canada? 3. Which federal government department is responsible for the census? 4. List the two ways this department will notify people about the census. 5. How many households will be surveyed? 6. What is the short form census? Explain. 7. What is the long form census? Explain. 8. List at least three examples of what population census results are used for. 2015/2016: Issue 7 What in the world? Le vel 1 Page 5
BEYOND THE LINES View the 2011 Census data for your community, available at http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/censusrecensement/index-eng.cfm Make at least five observations using this data. What conclusions can you draw based on your observations? JUST TALK ABOUT IT 1. As you see it, what is the significance of the census? 2. What reasons can you suggest to explain why some people object to completing the census? Explain. 3. The long form census should not be mandatory. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons to support your response. 4. Make a prediction: What trends do you suppose the 2016 census data will reveal? Why? Explain. ONLINE Visit our student website at www.news4youth.com and click on the What in the World? tab to: 1. Access the 2016 Census Teacher s Kit (or visit http://www.census.gc.ca/ccr16e/ccr16e_002-eng.html). 2. Read about (and watch) Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Navdeep Bains announcement regarding the return of the long form census (or visit https://beta.thestar.com/news/ canada/2015/11/05/liberals-restore-mandatory-long-form-census.html). 3. Watch videos about Statistics Canada s role, activities, survey results, and more (or visit http://www. statcan.gc.ca/eng/sc/video/index). 4. Read the 2016 Census questions (or visit http://www.census.gc.ca/ccr16f/ccr16f_001-eng.html). 5. Explore Canadian censuses dating back to 1825 (or visit http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/census/pages/ census.aspx). J Page 6 What in the world? Le vel 1 2015/2016: Issue 7
1 2 L 4 5 3 N 6 U 7 8 I 9 S 10 V T 11 13 A 12 N C ACROSS 4. Liberals brought back the form census 5. census data is used to determine payments to the provinces 7. to keep information secret 10. Canada s census takes place every years 11. number of census questions on the short form 12. how StatsCan wants people to complete the census 13. something that must be done DOWN 1. some 15 Canadian households will receive the census 2. StatsCan will send interviewers to areas 3. to change words from one language into another language 6. Canada is in charge of the census 8. a monetary penalty 9. census data is used to determine electoral 2015/2016: Issue 7 What in the world? Le vel 1 Page 7