Canada 2006 Census

Summary

Over 12.7 million households, 32.5 million people were expected to be counted. Canada Post delivered census forms by mail to 70% of the country, primarily residents in urban areas. Census enumerators delivered to the remaining 30% of households. Every fifth home received the long questionnaire (53 questions versus 8 questions on the short form). For the first time, Canadian residents were able to go online to fill in their forms. Statistics Canada expected approximately 20% of households to file their surveys electronically. Persistent census staff are contacting tardy households. The total estimated cost of the 2006 census is $567 million spread over seven years, employing more than 25,000 full and part-time census workers.

New in the 2006 Census Questionnaire:

Questions not asked in the 2006 Census:

Modified questions:

Data products

As the data were compiled, Statistics Canada released various census data products. The first set of data products was released on March 13, 2007, originally scheduled for release on February 13, 2007, covering population and dwelling counts by geographical unit. This was followed by other census data products.

Population and dwelling counts

The first release of 2006 Census data was on March 13, 2007, covering population and dwelling counts by geographical unit.

Population of the provinces and territories

* This change is likely overstated due to improvements in coverage of the Northwest Territories in 2006.

Age and sex

The second release of 2006 Census data was on July 17, 2007, covering age and sex of the Canadian population. Among other findings, Statistics Canada reported that the 65-and-over population was at a record high of 13.7% of the total population of Canada. By comparison, the 2001 census found that the 65-and-over population was 13.0% of the total population of Canada.

Population of each province and territory by age and sex

Families, marital status, households and dwelling characteristics

The third release of 2006 Census data was on September 12, 2007 and covered families/households, marital status, and dwelling characteristics.

The following table displays various census data (derived from the 20% sample that completed the long questionnaire) on marital status for the Canadian population aged 15 years or more, as well as data on the number of couples by various criteria, and where available the percentage change from the 2001 census:

Immigration, citizenship, language, mobility and migration

The fourth release of 2006 Census data was on December 4, 2007 and covered immigration, citizenship, language, mobility, migration and other population data.

Aboriginal peoples

The fifth release of 2006 Census data was on January 15, 2008, covering aboriginal peoples.

Labour, place of work/commuting to work, education, language

The sixth release of 2006 Census data was on March 4, 2008, covering labour, education and some other topics going with that.

Ethnic origin, visible minorities

The seventh release of 2006 Census data was on April 2, 2008, covering ethnic origins and visible minorities and commuting to work.

Income/earnings, shelter costs

The eighth release of 2006 Census data was on May 1, 2008, covering income and earnings, and shelter costs.

Advertising

In contrast to 1996 focus-groups that found it important to know the legal requirement at the outset, participants of 2005 focus-groups were annoyed or provoked by draft ads reminding Canadians about the census law. As a result of the finding, Statistics Canada's initial newspaper, radio and TV ads avoided mention of the legal requirement. Instead, reference to the census law was highlighted only in ads appearing after census day, to capture late filers.

To encourage participation, Statistics Canada set aside $13 million for "saturation" advertising, including billboards, bookmarks, inserts in municipal tax bills, and ads on bags of sugar and milk cartons.

Outsourcing

Statistics Canada reports less than 20% of the work will be outsourced, spending $85 million over 5 years. Despite an open public tender process, controversy arose on the announcement of a $43.3 million deal awarded to Lockheed Martin Canada—a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor by defense revenue—for the purchase of scanning and printing software and hardware.

Forms

A variety of forms were available in both official languages, varying in length, colour, and recipient's location.

Most households (80%) received the short form (2A):

One in five received the long form (2B):

Federal and provincial employees and their families working in embassies and National Defence bases abroad (2C):

In the three northern territories and on Aboriginal communities and settlements (2D):

Census of Agriculture (6):

Controversy

Special interest groups criticised Statistics Canada over the design of questions, accuracy, and the future of the census data:

In addition, Statistics Canada's online questionnaire had been criticized over accessibility issues:

The quality of data was further hampered by individuals who advocated minimal cooperation or non-cooperation, in protest to the outsourcing contract awarded to Lockheed Martin. Many people believed that Lockheed Martin would have access to their information, and that the US government could then access that information through the USA PATRIOT Act. However, despite assurances to the contrary (i.e., only Statistics Canada employees would and could handle, store, and access the information), some people refused to participate fully in the Census.

The release of data was postponed to numerous issues during enumeration. These included:

As a result, the first release of data from the census, originally scheduled for release on February 13, 2007, was delayed to March 13, 2007.