Geg2509 pres 2009

The library and the
Canadian Census
February 2th, 2009
By Nancy Lemay
Geographic, Statistical and Government Information Centre (GSG)
© 2009 University of Ottawa

February 2th, 2009 – gsg@uottawa.ca
Presentation Outline
• Introducing the library and the Geographic, Statistical and Government
Information Centre (GSG)
• Census History:
– When did it begin?
– Evolution through time
– It’s original state
• Access statistics:
– Summary tables on StatCan website
– Census statistics through E-STAT
• Contact information

The Library at UO
• 1st
floor reference desk or GSG reference desk – 3rd
floor
• Wireless internet connection in the library
• Laptop loans – 3 hrs loan
• 250 PCs in the Morisset library

The Library at UO
• A tutorial developed to help you discover and use numerous
resources available at the Library.
• You can attend numerous free 40-minute drop-in hands-on
workshop, focusing on specific tools available at the library.

Services available at the GSG centre…
Provide help to access and use:
• Geographic Information: geospatial data, satellite
imagery, maps, atlases and air photos;
• Statistics and data: survey data and statistics from
statistical and administrative agencies, e.g., Statistics
Canada (DLI);
• Government Information: printed documents and
electronic products from governments in Canada and
around the world.

Census History

Census History
• Canada's first census initiated by Jean Talon in 1666
• Talon did much of the data collection personally
• The census counted the colony's 3,215 inhabitants and
recorded their age, sex, marital status and occupation.
• In 1739, last census under the French regime.

Census History (cont’d)
• Between 1710 and 1760 need to collect information on housing
stock and armaments (muskets and swords).
• Previous censuses had been more concerned with raising taxes
or armies and assessing resources.
• In 1765 for example, assessing the balance between Catholics
and Protestants, and recording the number of Acadians,
settlers, Indians and Blacks.
• New variables on race, religion and ethnic origin were
introduced.

• The first national census of Canada was taken in 1871
• The first census conducted under the British North American Act.
• According to The Census Act of May 12, 1870, census-taking was to
take place no later than May 1st.
• In 1871 asked 211 questions on area, land holdings, vital statistics,
religion, education, administration, the military, justice, agriculture,
commerce, industry and finance.
• The 1871 Census began a tradition, collect information on the ancestral
origins of all Canadians, including Aboriginal persons.

• In 1871, the only options for "marital status" were married,
widowed or other.
– Today there are five categories: legally married, separated
but still legally married, divorced, widowed, or single (never
married).
• From 1871 to 1911, the census asked questions on "infirmities."
Respondents were asked to indicate whether members of their
household were blind, deaf, or simple-minded.
– These questions were dropped from the 1921 and
subsequent censuses.

• Two major changes were made to the census in 1881:
– Oath of secrecy, a pledge still required today.
– The census was extended to include British Columbia,
Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.
– Housing question was revised to include "wigwams and
tents" in the Census of the North-West Territories.

• The 1901 Census grew from nine questionnaires and 216 questions in
1891 to 11 questionnaires and 561 questions.
• By this time the population of Canada was 5,371,051, and Montreal
was the most populous city with 267,730 residents.
• The 1911 Census had 13 questionnaires with 522 questions.
– No longer include the detailed fishery questionnaire with questions
such as the quantity, kind, and value of catch; and the number and
type of boats, gear and equipment.
– Instead, a special form was used in specified fishing areas of
Canada.

• In 1906, the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Alberta and
Saskatchewan began to take a separate census of agriculture
every five years to monitor the growth of the West.
• Since 1956, the Census of Agriculture and the Census of
Population have been taken together every five years across
the entire country.

• In 1912, responsibility for the census shifted from the Ministry of
Agriculture to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
• Six years later, the Dominion Bureau of Statistics was created.

• The 1921 Census had only five questionnaires:
– The population questionnaire contained only 35 questions
– Questions on "insanity" and fertility are dropped.
– Mandatory school attendance until age 16.

• In the 1931 Census, questions were asked to gauge the extent
and severity of unemployment and to analyze its causes.
– The era of the Great Depression.
– By the 1930s women had fewer than 3 children.
– The proportion of lone parent families reached a level that
would not be surpassed until 1996.

• The 1941 Census, developed in the Depression and conducted
during the Second World War.
– Women joined the labour force during the war.
– Following the war, higher divorce and remarriage rates.
• This was the first census that linked the urban poor with a view
to developing urban planning.

• In 1951, the sample was expanded to one household in five in order to
obtain greater geographic detail.
• Inclusion of questions on fertility (topic considered too sensitive for the
1921 and 1931 censuses).
– From 1946-1965, known as the « baby-boom ».
– Fertility was correlated to earnings, schooling and other significant
characteristics of the family.
– Woman had approx. 3.9 children on average.
– Younger age at marriage.

• In 1956, the first nationwide quinquennial census was
conducted.
– Television use in its publicity program.
– Rapid growth in population and agriculture indicated the
need for benchmarks at five-year intervals.
– Develop a simplified questionnaire restricted to the
essentials so as not to exceed the allocated budget.

• Birth control pill became available in the early 1960s, but not
legalized until 1969.
• Introduction of the Divorce Act in 1968.
• Obtain a divorce to include « no fault » divorce following a
separation of at least three years.

• By 1971, the Dominion Bureau of Statistics had become
Statistics Canada.
• Last census year that fertility was at the replacement level.
• Under the new Statistics Act, it became a statutory requirement
to hold censuses of population and agriculture every five years.
• Self-enumeration, whereby respondents complete their own
questionnaire.

• The 1986 Census broke the pattern established in 1956 of
alternating full and mini-censuses by repeating most of the
questions asked in the full census of 1981.
• The term "head" which previously referred to the husband was
changed in 1976 to either the husband or wife.
• The reference to "head" was dropped altogether in the 1981
Census.
• First question that included common-law couple.

• In 1986, the Divorce Act was amended to reduce the separation
for « no fault » divorce to at least one year.
• In 1987, saw a record high divorce rate!!
• In 1991 a question on "common-law" relationship was included
on the census questionnaire for the first time.

• In 2001:
– The short questionnaire completed by 80% of households.
– The long questionnaire contains the same questions as the short
form plus 52 additional questions.
– Completed by the remaining 20% of the population.
– Provide data for common-law couples (opposite sex) and common-
law couples (same sex), with and without children living at home.
– Same-sex marriage became legal across Canada in 2005.
– We have grown from 3,215 inhabitants to a nation of almost 31
million.

• Same-sex married couples were first enumerated in the 2006
census.
• In 2006, for the first time, households across the country had
the convenience of completing their questionnaire online.
• This new method places Canada at the forefront of census
taking.
• In the past 40 years, Canada's population has doubled, from
just over 14 million in 1951 to 30 million in 2001.

Evolution of the census questions
• Census questions since confederation:
http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/reference/dictionary/app001.c
• Census questions changes through time:
http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/reference/dictionary/defbyqnu

Access statistics on StatCan website
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/start-debut-eng.html

Access statistics on StatCan website (cont’d)

Accessing statistics through E-STAT

Important links
• How to cite Statistics Canada Products
• UO citation manager: RefWorks
– Web-based bibliography manager.
– Use Refworks to maintain a personal database of references
to articles.
– Share references with other students at UO.
• Library subject guides – contact subject librarian for help…

Contact Information
Nancy lemay
GIS and Geography Librarian
The Geographic, Statistical and Government Information Centre
Location: Morisset, 3rd
floor, Room 308
Website: http://www.biblio.uottawa.ca/gsg
E-mail address: nlemay@uottawa.ca

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