Canada - Census

What Type of Census do you need?

There are two distinct types of census, the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture.

The Census of Population provides the population and dwelling counts not only for Canada but also for each province and territory, and for smaller geographic units such as cities or districts within cities. The Census of Population also provides information about Canada’s demographic, social and economic characteristics.

The Census of Agriculture provides comprehensive information on topics such as crop area, number of livestock, weeks of farm labour, number and value of farm machinery, farm expenses and receipts, and land management practices.

The British North America (BNA) Act of 1867 determined that a census would be taken every 10 years starting in 1871.

Starting in 1896 in Manitoba a separate Census of Agriculture was also conducted every 10 years but mid decade. Alberta and Saskatchewan were added to the Census of the Agriculture in 1906, and by 1956 the entire country was included.

Census of Population

There are two types of Census of Population, manuscript/nominal and the aggregate census:

For historical research on individuals or groups of people in specific communities -- use the Manuscript/Nominal Census
For genealogical research (finding records of individuals) -- use the Manuscript/Nominal Census
For statistics -- use the Aggregate Census

Are all Censuses the same?

If you were to compare the 1871 and 1981 censuses you would notice many differences. One difference is in the type and number of questions asked. Other differences relate to methodology and publishing changes.

Questions asked:

A guide to the questions asked in various censuses can be found in the 1996 Census Handbook DBW govt census HA 741.5 1996 92-C352 (see pages 40-45).

Also refer to the 2001 Census Handbook DBW govt census, HA741.5 2001 92-C379 and online.

Decennial (10th year) vs. Quinquennial (5th year) Census:

Census	Frequency	First Taken	# Questions Asked	Questionnaire
Decennial	10 years (decade) e.g. 1981, 1991	1851	more	both long & short
Quinquennial	10 years (mid-decade) e.g. 1986, 1996	1956	fewer	short only*

* Exception: 1986 quinquennial census used both a long and a short questionnaire.

Sampling:

Data is collected from citizens via a questionnaire.
Data for the housing censuses of 1941 and 1951 was obtained by asking specific questions of a sample (10% in 1941, 20% in 1951) of the total population.
The 1961 census was the first year that a systematic sample (20%) of the population was asked detailed questions (long questionnaire) in addition to the basis questions (short questionnaire) asked of 100% of the population.
This sampling procedure has continued to the present, with the size of the sample changing to 33% for the 1971 and 1976 censuses and returning to 20% with the 1981 census. In remote areas of the country, 100% of the population is given the long questionnaire.

Census tracts:

Census tracts are small numbered areas established within large urban communities. Census tract publications which list statistics for each of the numbered census tracts were first produced in 1951; however, there was a housing atlas based on 1941 census data which presented selected data on housing and households superimposed on city maps. See the Chronological List.

Births and deaths:

Statistics on births and deaths were collected by the census prior to 1911. From 1911 on these statistics have been collected as "vital statistics" by each province.

Industries and retail establishments:

Various types of statistics on primary industries, and the retail and wholesale trade were included in the census up to 1971. Censuses from 1976 to the present have only asked questions concerning population, housing and agriculture.