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Statistics Canada will release data Tuesday on the number of people across the country who identify as aboriginal — North American Indian, Metis (mixed native-European descent) or Inuit — in the first of four sweeping census reports coming out this year on everything from aboriginal education to income and labour.
While native participation in the census has increased, thousands of aboriginals weren't counted because they're homeless, in jail or refused to give their consent.
Anil Arora, director general of the census program branch at Statistics Canada, stressed in a story with Canadian Press, that 98 per cent of First Nations co-operate. His department prefers outreach to legal action, he said.
Mr. Arora will be online Tuesday at 1 p.m. EST to discuss the latest release, including the problems getting the numbers and what that will mean to the process and the information overall. Send in your questions now and join us online Tuesday for Mr. Arora's answers, which will appear at the bottom of this page.
Anil Arora, director general of the census program branch at Statistics Canada (CTV News)
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Mr. Arora has been with Statistics Canada for the past 16 years, beginning in the Prairie Region. This included positions as Services Manager for the 1991 Census, Assistant Director responsible for the census collection activities in the 1996 Census, Assistant Director of Operations as well as the Management Services and Informatics Head until 1997 when he took the position as Assistant Director of the Dissemination Division in Ottawa.
In 2000, Mr. Arora became Director of the Census Management Office, responsible for all aspects of the 2006 Census. In early 2005, Mr. Arora took on the new position of Director General, Census Program Branch. He also participates on a number of inter-departmental committees and corporate committees and co chairs the web-site redesign committee.
Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length or clarity. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on participants in these discussions, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.
Christine Diemert, globeandmail.com: Mr. Arora, Thanks for joining us today to discuss the latest 2006 Census release. Could you explain, first how Statistics Canada gathered the information for this census and in general how the department works with the aboriginal people?
Anil Arora: Statistics Canada works in co-operation with Aboriginal communities long before the collection phase of the Census. On First Nations Communities and in the Northern territories, enumeration is conducted mainly using local interviewers with a face to face interview. Given demands for detailed data for small communities, the long questionnaire is used on all reserves as well as in most of the communities in the north.
Statistics Canada has invested in an ongoing Aboriginal liaison program designed to ensure that there is maximum use of the Census data in meeting their needs and in obtaining full participation.
Christine Diemert, globeandmail.com: Specific to this release, several large reserves did not participate in the 2006 census. Why was that and how does that affect the final numbers? Does Statistics Canada average the numbers to get a final tally, or present the information as it stands?
Anil Arora: Since 1986, Statistics Canada's efforts to improve participation have yielded success. In 1986, 136 reserves refused participation, and in 2006, this number was down to 22. The reasons for not taking part in the Census are varied, and this question is better left up to each community.
The numbers released today reflect the reserves which participated in the 2006 Census.
Christine Diemert, globeandmail.com: I understand 1991 was the first year Statistics Canada asked a question specifically about aboriginal identity. Why is that and how has that changed the numbers?
Anil Arora: The identity question has been asked in the same manner for the past three censuses, providing a basis of continuity and comparability. Today's release includes the total Aboriginal ancestry count (1,678,235) and further breakdown and details are planned for April 2008. The Aboriginal identity population is comprised of those having identified themselves as First Nations (North American Indian), Métis and/or Inuit as well as Registered Indian and/or having Band membership. The total Aboriginal Identity count is 1,172,790 from the 2006 Census.
Christine Diemert, globeandmail.com: According to this census, the aboriginal population has increased over the past decade. But how much of that overall growth can be attributed to the fact more people are identifying themselves as aboriginal?
Anil Arora: The growth of the aboriginal population consists of both demographic (fertility, life-expectancy) factors as well as non-demographic (self-identification) factors. Another factor is the increased participation by reserves in the 2006 Census.
Our estimates show that for the total Aboriginal population, the split between demographic and non-demographic factors is approximately 20% and 27% respectively. Non demographic factors for the Métis group appear to have played a larger role.
Sylvia Brass from Winnipeg Canada writes: I am wondering as to how the Census folks counted aboriginals living on reserves and how they counted aboriginals registered as members of those reserves but living and working in urban centres.
Anil Arora: Statistics Canada conducts a de jure Census. In other words, we count people at their "usual" place of residence on Census day (May 16th, 2006 for the 2006 Census). So for Aboriginal people living and working off-reserve, they would be counted at their usual place of residence (the urban centre), even though they may well be registered as a member of a particular band.
K Wong from Canada writes: Hi, does the Census department think that it is important to ask Canadians to answer questions regarding their cultural/social identity? By this I mean, is this information of significant high value that it outweighs the costs of creating a Canadian society split into social/cultural subgroups, where often or not, one group can be seen as getting more attention (financially, employment support, etc) than another? Is it necessary to gather this type of information so that companies and governments can use this information to design programs to hire/target Canadians not for what they can do/think but for what they look like and where they're from? Basically is it important to separate people based on things they never had the ability to control or decide in the first place? Thanks.
Anil Arora: Questions on the Census are finalized after an extensive consultation process designed to meet important data needs of various groups and ultimately approved by Cabinet. The Census is a cost-effective and consistent means of providing comparable and unbiased data for program and policy development and implementation. The various data releases from the Census are an important and unique source for decision makers, showing important trends over time, down to small geographic levels.
Rob Aubery from Calgary Canada writes: Is it true that field workers doing the Census are underpaid because of budget deficits at Statistics Canada? If so, does this result in census workers who, under pressure to produce results, using fake data to fill in the blanks that they have no time to collect. Last census (2006), some people I know did a test and filled in the most outlandish responses on their census forms. Would they get a call from the department questioning the responses?
Anil Arora: The basis for calculating the rate of pay for enumerators for the 2006 Census took into account economic increases as well as an increase for the difficulty in conducting follow-up for non-response from the 2001 Census. While in most parts of the country, the pay rate was considered to be a reasonable remuneration for the expected duties, in some parts of the country, such as Alberta, we had to make special provisions to account for staff shortages and turnover. Statistics Canada has a rigorous data quality control and certification program and all indications are that the quality of the 2006 Census results are equal to or better than those obtained in previous Censuses. There is follow-up with respondents, usually over the telephone, where there may be questions regarding the quality of the census responses. We have quality control processes in place to ensure that enumerators follow proper procedures. Canadians can be assured of the quality of the Census data.
Christine Diemert, globeandmail.com: Thanks for joining us today Mr. Arora.
Anil Arora: I would like to close by thanking all Canadians for taking part in the 2006 Census, and for the interest in today's release on Aboriginal people in Canada. I would also like to thank all the hard working staff across this country who helped us collect, process and disseminate information of vital importance to the country. Specific thanks go to our analysts for this release, Nancy Zukewich, Ida Trachtenberg, Heather Tait, Jane Badets and all the members of the Aboriginal release team.
