New census to ID number of children who can be educated in official minority language

Press release from the office of Pontiac MP William Amos:

Will Amos, MP for Pontiac, celebrated the announcement by Statistics Canada of the modified questionnaire for the 2021 Census of Population questionnaire

https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/statistical-programs/instrument/3901_Q2_V6, which was published in the Canada Gazette on July 17. Statistics Canada is part of the federal department of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISED), which MP Amos serves as Parliamentary Secretary.

Having re-instated the mandatory long-form census in 2016, the Government of Canada continues to recognize the value of good-quality data and how it helps government, non-profits, businesses, researchers and municipalities make informed decisions. That’s why the development of the 2021 Census of Population was designed to ensure that the information collected reflects Canada’s changing society, and addressed information gaps.

As MP Amos stated: “This will be the first census to collect information on both sex-at-birth and gender, as well as collecting information necessary to identify the number of children eligible to be educated in the minority official language in their province or territory. It will also provide accurate information about the people in Canada who have served or are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, increased accuracy in questions relating to ethno cultural diversity, and address information gaps concerning Métis and Inuit populations.”

With census data, Canadians are not only be able to see which areas within Canada, Quebec and the Outaouais region have experienced growth or decline, but will also demonstrate the characteristics of our population to enable decision-making around local issues like housing, transit, schools, and the environment.

Decisions on the 2021 Census have been made in collaboration with Canadians and for Canadians. Statistics Canada conducted country-wide engagements as well as a census beta-test with over 135,000 households. This helped to determine whether new or revised questions allowed for timely and relevant data—the kind of information we use in communities across the country to plan services that support employment, education and health care.

“I am particularly pleased that enhanced data will be collected on commuter transportation to enable better public transit decisions, and also in relation to official language minorities (including Anglophone Quebecers and Franco-Ontarians).” commented MP Amos.

Statistics Canada has adapted its approach to the reality of COVID-19 to ensure that every Canadian has an opportunity to be heard and that the 2021 Census is conducted in the best and safest way possible. We anticipate nearly 100% participation by all Canadians and 80% of them are expected to complete the questionnaire through an efficient, secure and user-friendly online application.

For an exclusive and in-depth look at the census, its history, the laws that regulate it, how it is planned and conducted, please consult Painting a Portrait of Canada: The 2021 Census of Population https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/98-26-0001/982600012020001-eng.cfm online.

For the latest 2021 Census information and developments, visit The road to the 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/road2021-chemin2021/index-eng.cfm.

As a reminder, through Canada's Economic Action Plan in response to COVID-19, the Government of Canada is taking several measures to support Canadians, businesses and organizations affected by COVID-19. This plan and the measures it contains are available on this website: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html.