About the Community Social Data Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What data is included and for what geographies and years?
2. What is “Census Data”?
3. Is training available?
4. What are the limits in using and distributing consortium data?
5. What are the differences between the types of Census Geographies?
6. Why do all the data points in some tables end in “5” or “0”?
7. What are the “Total Population” figures different in each data set?
8. How do I know if the geography I am analyzing differs from previous census releases?
9. How do I cite the data I am using from STC?
10. Where do I find materials explaining the non-Census data products?

1. What data is included and for what geographies and years?

A complete list of CSDS data is included here; CSDS Data Reference Guide.

2. What is “Census Data”?

Between May 1 and May 13, 13,576,855 households received a Census of Population questionnaire. An adult in each household was asked to complete and return the questionnaire online or by mail to Statistics Canada Data Processing Centre. The short questionnaire contained eight questions and was completed by 80% of households. The long questionnaire contained the same questions as the short form plus 53 additional questions, including three new ones. A new question seeking permission for Statistics Canada to use data from income tax records to lower respondent burden was added to the long form. As well, questions on education were re-worded to improve response quality, including a new question on location of study. Both the short and long forms contained a new question asking whether the respondent would permit Statistics Canada to make their personal information public in 92 years for historical and genealogical research.

"Census Data" is the collected responses to the Census as outlined above.

(Statistics Canada)

3. Is training available?

Training is available on various aspects of the CSDS site, the most common training would be Statistics Canada's "How to use Census Data". This is a full day workshop that deals with the content, geography, products and services of the 2006 Census. It provides demonstration and hands-on exercises with the 2006 Census CD-ROMs. For more information about this course (and other Stats Can courses) please see the Stats Can training website.

For information about other training please contact the CSDS administrators here.

4. What are the limits in using and distributing consortium data?

Consult your consortium lead for more information about the contractual agree between you, the consortium lead, and the CCSD.

5. What are the differences between the types of Census Geographies?

Census geographies range from very large regions (Census Metropolitan Areas and Economic Regions) to very small neighbourhoods (Block Face Groups and Dissemination Areas.

For complete information on census geography please refer to the following links: http://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss2006/Maps/CTDA_e.jsp and http://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss2006/Maps/CMAT_e.jsp.

6. Why do all the data points in some tables end in “5” or “0”?

This is due to random rounding, a confidentiality procedure applied to all Census 2006 data. For more information on random rounding click here.

7. What are the “Total Population” figures different in each data set?

This is a factor of the dimensions included in the table you are looking at. Statistics Canada provides some information here about the effect of the 20% sample, but there is also the case of the "base population" for any given dimension. For example, data tables on the topic of housing are usually based on the total population of people in private households, the total population for these data would exclude all institutionalized individuals and therefore not be the same as the general population count used in the basic profile.