Editor’s note: While, like most media, The Squamish Chief does not usually publish opinion pieces from government agencies, in this case, we see the value in the non-political census as it informs public policy. Thus, we are making an exception for this piece.
For over a century, Canadians have relied on the data-driven insights from the Census of Population to understand how Canada is continuously evolving, and to inform important decisions that affect our families, our communities and our businesses.
Once every five years, Canadians have an opportunity to contribute to painting a detailed and comprehensive statistical portrait of Canada that is vital to our country. In the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this portrait has become even more crucial as the information collected from Canadians across the country has never been more central to planning at all levels, nor has it ever been more instrumental to policy and decision-makers.
In response to the ongoing pandemic, Statistics Canada has had to rethink and adapt the way it will capture and tell Canadians’ stories.
This year, and for the very first time, Statistics Canada will be striving for a contact-free approach to the 2021 Census.
The Census has been adapted to the COVID-19 reality to ensure respondents and Census enumerators remain safe by limiting the amount of contact needed to participate in this important national exercise.
Early in May, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will be receiving Census packages in the mail, providing them with the information they need to complete their questionnaire online or by phone.
In areas where invitations for online completion of the census questionnaire cannot be delivered by mail, local enumerators will safely distribute invitations to dwellings.
Every person — young and old — must be included in the census.
In 2021, all households in First Nations communities, Métis settlements and Inuit communities will be asked to complete a census long-form questionnaire.
The long-form questionnaire will collect key information about Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit identity and ancestry, as well as gather economic, health and education data.
Information collected through the census will provide data needed to plan services such as child care, schooling, family services, public transportation and skills training for employment.
Unprecedented, everyone living in an Indigenous community with reliable internet access will have the ability to complete the census questionnaire online.
In communities where internet access is limited or not available, respondents can complete their census questionnaire over the phone with a Statistics Canada employee by calling the Census Help Line.
To further protect community members and enumerators, a local Statistics Canada employee will be sent in-person to a dwelling for a non-response follow-up only if absolutely necessary, and a new no-contact protocol will be followed.
For both respondents’ and employees’ safety, census staff will be provided with personal safety equipment and will practise physical distancing when performing census collection activities.
Additionally, to increase accessibility and inclusivity, the questionnaire will also be translated into 13 Indigenous languages and dialects: Atikamekw, Denesuline (Chipewyan), Inuktut (Nunavik, Nunavut), Cree (Oji-Cree, Plains, Swampy, Northern Quebec), Mohawk, Montagnais, Naskapi, Ojibway and Tlicho (Dogrib).
Statistics Canada is committed to working with community leaders and public health authorities to react to and implement any new health and safety guidelines that will be in effect locally, at the time of Census data collection.
It is more vital than ever that the 2021 Census is conducted by local residents.
In an effort to protect the public health of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities, Statistics Canada is hiring local enumerators to carry out the 2021 Census of Population and is encouraging community members across Canada to apply for census job opportunities.
Interested individuals can visit www.census.gc.ca/jobs to apply for census job opportunities. They may also call 1-833-830-3106 to speak to someone about the positions available.
It is tremendously important that every individual in each household is part of Canada’s family portrait. The success of the 2021 Census in painting a clear picture of households across the country ultimately relies on the willing support, co-operation, and participation of each individual who goes online or picks up the phone to complete their census questionnaire.
All Canadians benefit when everyone contributes — this could not be more true for the 2021 Census of Population.
Geoff Bowlby is the director general for the Statistics Canada 2021 Census.
