Chapter 2: Canada's Population in a Global Context

Introduction

  • Most important data sources for demographic research: census and vital statistics

The Population Census

  • Census: to assess
  • 1st census: Babylon/ancient China
  • Past census: didn’t account for all citizens
  • 1st series of modern censuses taken at regular intervals: Sweden in 1750

A Brief History of the Canadian Census

  • Jean Talon organized the colony’s 1st census in 1666   * Didn’t include Aboriginal inhabitants or members of the military
  • Between 1608 and 1759, 36 censuses were conducted

Contemporary Population Census

  • Census: provides a complete account of a country’s population at a point in time
  • Statistics Canada: Canada’s statistical bureau
  • A national census is very costly and requires extensive preparation and planning
  • In Canada, the census takes place every 5 years
  • United Nations guidelines
  • Census methods   * De jure method of enumeration: people are counted at their usual place of residence, not wherever they happen to be living at the time of the census. *Used in Canada and US   * De facto method: people are counted as residents of the address where they happen to have stayed the night preceding the day of the census. *Used in France, UK, Greece, Russia
  • Census categories:   * Demographic characteristics   * Sociocultural characteristics   * Socioeconomic characteristics   * Geographic characteristics

The Census: A Reflection of Its Time

  • Changes to the census questionnaire largely mirror sociological change in the population   * Social trends   * For new questions:     * Practical value to the nation broadly speaking     * Public acceptance of a question     * Comparability with previous censuses

      *Must be federally approved

  • “Children ever born” question
  • Unpaid work
  • Ethnicity
  • Political changes

The Use of Sampling in the Census

  • Sampling: data are obtained from a representative sample of household from which it is then possible to derive the characteristics of the population
  • National Household Survey (NHS): voluntary survey   * Lower response rate
  • Online participation

Census Undercoverage

  • There is always some level of undercounting   * Indigenous populations   * Illegal immigrants   * Criminals   * Nomads   * Homeless
  • Overcoverage: when a person is enumerated more than once

Population Estimates

  • Population estimates   * Postcensal: produced by using data from the most recent census + estimated of the components of demographic change since that last census   * Intercensal: produced every 5 years and reconcile previous postcensal estimates with the latest census counts
  • Population projections: series of population estimates, typically by age and sex, derived from the application of assumptions regarding change in the demographic components over the course of a defined time horizon

Specialized Population Surveys

  • Surveys of the labor force: taken routinely
  • Current Population Survey (in the US)
  • Aboriginal People’s Survey
  • National Population Health Survey

Vital Statistics

  • Vital statistics were 1st compiled by churches

Early Investigations of Vital Records and the Origins of Population Studies

  • Important founding fathers of demography   * Thomas Malthus   * John Graunt → Bills of Mortality   * William Petty → national accounting systems   * Antoine Deparcieux → exposure to risk in mortality analysis

Modern Vital Statistics Systems

  • National vital statistics system: collect, compile, and process statistical information on all vital events that take place in the population on a daily basis   * Requirements   * List of vital events that must be reported in Canada     * Live birth     * Death     * Fetal death     * Therapeutic abortion     * Marriage     * Divorce     * Legal separation     * Annulment     * Adoption
  • Definitions are not universally applied everywhere
  • Underregistration of vital events

Population Registers

  • Population register: change of residence, births, deaths, marriages, and divorces must be declared to the authorities

Monitoring Migratory Movements

  • Arrangements between countries
  • Internal migration: monitoring of this is done through tax files
  • Census

Indirect Estimation of Vital Events

  • Poor countries   * Lack of necessary infrastructure   * Lack of funds to support institutions   * Leads to estimations based on incomplete information

Canadian Vital Statistics: Background and Overview

  • Dominion Bureau of Statistics founded in 1918 (currently Statistics Canada)
  • Canadian vital statistics system: obtain and preserve such documentary evidence as is necessary to protect the legal rights of the individual

\ \