Conducting the 2001 Census of Canada

On Tuesday, May 15, 2001, Statistics Canada counted approximately 31 million people for the 2001 Census of Canada. In the first two weeks in May, about 11.8 million households in Canada received a Census of Population questionnaire, and another 276,000 farm operations received a Census of Agriculture questionnaire.

A census is held every five years in Canada. Each household is required by the Statistics Act to provide the information requested in the Census.


The same act requires that Statistics Canada keep personal information collected by the census confidential.

Two versions of the questionnaire - a long and a short form - were mailed. About 80 percent of households received the short form with seven questions. The rest got the long form, which contained the same seven questions, and had an additional 52 questions. About two percent of the population - those living in remote areas and on Indian reserves - had the census conducted by interview.

Two new questions were included on the long form this time round - the birthplace of parents and the language of work. Also starting with the 2001 Census of Canada, Statistics Canada collected data for common-law couples, both opposite sex and same sex, with and without children living at home.

Uses of Canadian Census Data

Census data is used for a wide variety of purposes in Canada. All levels of government use the information to make policy decisions on economic and social programs. It is used to redistribute seats in the House of Commons and provincial and territorial legislative assemblies, and to determine equalization payments and other federal-provincial transfer payments.

Canadian governments use census data for planning community services, from health care to fire and police protection. Businesses, universities and individuals also use census information as a planning tool.

Confidentiality Requirements for Personal Data

The confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act are very specific:

• all personal census information is to be kept confidential
• no one outside Statistics Canada is allowed access to individual census information
• individual census information must be combined with similar information and rounded off before it can be released
• detailed census data are not released for areas which have a population of fewer than 40 people
• census interviewers and Statistics Canada employees must take an oath of secrecy
• completed questionnaires are only available to those employees who need to examine them
• penalties for the release of personal census information include a fine of up to $1000 or six months in jail, or both.