Census Day is coming up on May 11. The census is a valuable tool that increases our understanding of Canadians across the country and allows governments to provide the right services and support to each community. We encourage everyone to participate by completing their census questionnaire at census.gc.ca.
Census information is used in many different ways to shape government action and investment. Here are just a few ways that census data is used to benefit communities:
- Schools and social services. Age data and population numbers are used to understand how an area is changing and to estimate program needs. For example, a significant increase in the number of children may lead the community to determine that new schools, daycare spaces, parks and recreation programs will be required.
- Attract new workers. Job, employment and commuting data can help your community build up its workforce, enticing workers with the right qualifications to bring their skills to businesses in need of their talents.
- Culture. Each community has a unique makeup of people in different life stages, whether it’s retirees or young families. Thanks to census data, provincial and federal governments are able to offer support services and programs that are tailored to their residents, such as daycare centres, schools and retirement residences.
- Business and economic opportunities. Age, education and employment data can help identify the need for job creation and new postsecondary programs, such as trades training. Local businesses can also use demographic information to identify new market trends and needs.
Find more information on census data on the Census Program page of the Statistics Canada website.
