The 2021 Census Postsecondary Research Kit has been developed for college, CÉGEP and university students looking to use Census data in their research. It includes an easy-to-use research guide on Census of Population resources and on how the data can be used to answer complex research questions.
Don't forget, you can save this publication in the app for quick access or reference, by tapping the bookmark icon at the top of the screen!
1. How to use this toolkit
The Census of Population is a go-to source for students doing quantitative research on Canada.
This toolkit will help familiarize you with the Census and key sources of data and other information. It will show you:
- topics covered by the 2021 Census
- examples of research involving Census data, and
- 2021 Census reference tools and sources for your next research project
2. Topics covered by the Census of Population
Statistics Canada conducts the Census of Population every 5 years, to provide a snapshot of Canada and Canadians on one specific day. It is mandated by law in the Constitution Act (1867) and the Statistics Act (1985).
The Census is a primary source of socioeconomic data, including on these topics for the 2021 Census of Population:
- Population and dwelling counts
- Age
- Sex at birth and gender
- Type of dwelling
- Families, households and marital status
- Canadian military experience
- Income
- Language
- Indigenous peoples
- Housing
- Immigration, place of birth and citizenship
- Ethnocultural and religious diversity
- Mobility and migration
- Education
- Labour
- Language of work
- Commuting
- Instruction in the official minority language
3. How researchers have used Census data
Census data are pivotal for researchers across Canada. Here are some examples of how they have helped shed light on real-world issues.
The economic outcomes of immigrants…
- Dr. Arvind Magesan, from the University of Calgary, uses 2016 Census data to understand the immigrant wage gap. Magesan compares income data, language data, and country of origin data to investigate how they relate to economic outcomes. He also uses geographic data from the 2016 Census to see how the wage gap has evolved across major Canadian cities.
The incomes of artists during COVID-19…
- Researchers Colleen Renihan, Ben Schnitzer and Julia Brook from Queen’s University use census income data to look at artists’ incomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada’s performance on the world stage…
- Consulting firms give advice to private sector businesses and public sector departments. These firms rely on census data to provide informed analysis. For example, Deloitte Canada cites census data in many of their reports, including:
Housing and real-estate outlooks…
- As Canadian Real Estate Wealth magazine attests, census population and dwelling count data are important for the real estate industry. Shortly after the 2021 Census population numbers were released, RE/MAX Canada used the data in their Quarter Century Market Report. Real-estate firms and professionals frequently use census data in their blog posts and other publications about market outlooks.
La Francophonie…
- The Société acadienne et francophone de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard (SAF’Île) are strong supporters of the census and use census data to understand how many Acadian francophones live in the province. They talk about census data on their website as a reflection of their representation in the province.
The impact of diseases and infections…
- In November 2021, the Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee, in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, released the Canadian Cancer Statistics Report 2021. This report cites census data extensively to provide estimates of the impact of cancer in Canada.
- Public Health Ontario used census data to look at neighbourhood-level trends of COVID-19 spread from a health equity lens. Their April 2022 report, COVID-19 in Ontario – A Focus on Neighbourhood Diversity, February 26, 2020 to December 13, 2021, uses data from the Canadian census to assess neighbourhoods in the province based on: (1) the proportion of non-white and non-Indigenous residents, (2) the proportion of immigrants that arrived in Canada within the past five years, or (3) both.
4. Census resources for students
Where can I find information from the Census?
- Statistics Canada publishes FREE data, analysis and other resources at statcan.gc.ca under the ‘Census’ tab. Check out the Release Schedule to see what is available for each release topic.
- The Statistics Canada Library houses a comprehensive repository of publications produced by Statistics Canada and its predecessor organizations. This includes historical material dating back to 1851.
- Many students and faculty have access to Public Use Microdata Files (PUMFs) and other resources through the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI), a partnership between post-secondary institutions and Statistics Canada. Material is available through an Electronic File Transfer (EFT) server or on repositories including Abacus, ODESI and CHASS. Consult your institution’s library website or reference librarian for more information.
Accessibility and Alternate Formats
Sign language video summaries of census data releases are also provided at Videos - Census. Data users can request materials in alternate formats by contacting Statistics Canada at 1-800-263-1136 (toll free) or 514-283-8300, or at infostats@statcan.gc.ca.
What types of resources are available?
The following list describes products and services that provide access to Census information.
- Data products: Raw data and data visualizations. Many are specific to Census Geography.
- Census Analysis: Key findings and impacts. Provides a deeper understanding of what the data mean.
- Reference Materials: Methodology and technical terms. Cover various aspects of the census and are intended to support the use of data.
- Census Geography Tools: Maps, geospatial apps and more. These cover a wide range of geographic areas and help users relate census data to them.
5. Citation
Authors and researchers must give full credit for any Statistics Canada data, analysis and other content used or referred to in their studies, articles, papers and other research works.
Statistics Canada's citation guide provides examples of how to build bibliographic references when citing Statistics Canada products and materials. It also includes citation style suggestions by subject matter.
However, it does not intend to displace any existing requirements of universities, educational institutions, corporations and other users.
Fun Facts
Early censuses required enumerators to adventure across the country in a camping outfit with pack-horses, dog-trains, and canoes.
The Census Communications program once had Census messages on food items such as milk bags and cartons, margarine containers, and sugar packages.
In 1971, a voluntary project in which school children were familiarized with the census involved the participation of one million students. A similar project runs today, called Census at School.
The first known systematic enumeration of the colony population in Canada was first conducted in the winter of 1666–1667 by the first Intendant of New France, Jean Talon.
Contact information
If you have questions or comments about the 2021 Census Postsecondary Research Kit, please contact Census Communications.