Anticipating Great Things: A 2006 Census Preview

June, 2006DLI, Ottawa, ON

Paul Schwets // Stuart Fyffe

2006 Census Releases

2006 Census Products and Services Line

2001/2006 PUMF

Upgrades to Community Profiles

2006 Census Dissemination Website Module

Overview of Presentation

Development of a census analytic program according to broad themes to showcase the strength and value of census data to Canadians and policy-makers;

Proposing 8 major releases, 2 scheduled analytic

releases, and an early geography release: Will look at ways to expand the analysis beyond the

major releases; Grouping of some topics slightly different in 2006

based on feedback/experience of the 2001 releases;

January 2007 – early release of selected geography products (i.e. cartographic boundary file, GEOSEARCH – no counts, boundaries only);

2006 Census Releases

For each major release, there will be: A dedicated Daily; Analytic document(s) with national,

provincial/territorial and regional analysis; Various data products including highlight tables and

possible multi-media presentations (e.g. historical age-sex pyramids);

New for 2006 - analytic releases following the release of some standard products (Mobility, Housing): Release selected tables early for census data users,

but release later a dedicated analytic article when additional census variables are available for richer analysis;

A dedicated analytic release for Housing (none in 2001).

2006 Census Releases

Build on the success of 2001, offering a range of products disseminated via the Internet;

Promote census data as much as possible, making it accessible and relevant to the information needs of a broad range of data users;

Strengthen the product line in response to the increasing demand for more community level data;

Better organize and package the information on the census Internet module.

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Overall Strategy

2006 Census products and services line will have the same five basic components as in 2001… Standard:

A range of profiles for standard geographies;Topic-based tabulations;Some print products;Products for the research community (e.g. PUMF);

Reference (e.g. Dictionary/Handbook, User & Technical Guides);

Analysis series (looking at expanding for 2006); Geography products & services (e.g. Road Network Files

available earlier; all reference maps available on line); Custom products and services.

2006 Census Products and Services Line: General Direction

Very popular with census data users: looking at trying to standardize content across profiles as much as possible for 2006, e.g. semi-custom basic profile similar in content as the standard cumulative profile;

Will produce a set of profiles for a range of geographic levels as in 2001;

New for 2006 - will have a set of “characteristic” profiles for diverse populations: Considering to produce for ethnic groups, immigrants,

Aboriginal groups, detailed occupations; seniors/ youth, for example;

Were actually produced in 2001 as topic-based tabulations, but difficult to find;

Will re-package for 2006 so that are easier to find and use.

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Profiles

About 600 topic-based tabulations produced in 2001 for a variety of geographic levels and census topics;

Conducted a complete review of these tables for 2006; looking at content, use (views, downloads and sales), ease of use on the Internet, duplications, etc.;

For 2006, proposing a reduced, more streamlined, better organized set of tables;

Better cross-referencing of tables on the census website: For example, a table cross-tabulating labour force activity

and visible minorities, could be found under the “labour” and “visible minority” topics.

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Topic-based Tabulations

A set of cross-tabulations for Canada, provinces/territories, CMAs/CAs (including some historical tables): Standardize legends where possible, e.g. age.

A set of basic cross-tabulations (BCT) for lower levels of geography: Proposing to keep some standard geographies for all BCTs

(e.g., CDs/CSDs, CTs); For other geographies possibly produce only those tables

most in demand; Offer CSD tables as public good to better support the

demands for community data – downloadable one CSD at a time;

Will be consulting on these proposed changes.

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Topic-based Tabulations (2)

A National Overview (available after Population & Dwelling release);

Print profiles for CDs/CSDs and Census Tracts same as in 2001.

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Print Products

Census Dictionary: used extensively by users (will offer HTML, print-friendly formats, one print version in 2006);

Census Handbook: will merge content with the Dictionary;

User Guides for census topics/variables: Available early in the cycle, possibly on day of release; Focus on “how to use the data” with some data quality

indicators;

Produce limited set of technical reports (e.g. coverage, sampling, specific content areas where there is change… e.g. education);

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Reference Products

2001 PUMF

Individuals File – Small revisions madeReleased April 26th, 2006

Household File –Two-phase release1st phase, data file and portions of documentation,

SAS and SPSS code…….. released May 17th 2nd phase, conversion factors, tools used to measure

quality, and user guides…….planned release date June 30th

2006 PUMF

Produce Individuals file only for 2006 ? Release earlier in cycle; Complete review of census PUMFs for 2006 and data

needs of research community.

Community Profiles are highly successful; will look at ways to improve for 2006 (e.g. some expanded content, percentages to allow for appropriate comparisons);

Considering some new Internet Products:

Historical trends for provinces/territories, selected municipalities:

A set of key historical summary measures (e.g. % lone parents, % recent immigrants, median/average earnings);

Boundary changes may be an issue in terms of the extent of the time series.

City Neighbourhood (CT) Profile (similar in content to the Community Profiles);

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Some New Initiatives (1)

Community Data Outreach Program Exploring an initiative to provide data and

support/outreach (e.g. how to use/find census data) to municipalities and community groups;

Explore with Infrastructure Canada potential for analytic series on Canadian cities using census data (similar project in 2001);

Thematic Mapping Exploring what to have available on the census

Internet site (had some thematic maps at the time of the 2001 releases);

Possible partnership with Atlas Canada (as in 2001);

2006 Census Products and Services Line: Some New Initiatives (2)

Next Steps & Comments

• Ongoing consultations and development/planning of the product line;

• Comments?