Once every five years, Statistics Canada conducts a census of the population which provides insight into our community, illustrating how the makeup of our population is changing over time in terms of age, ethnicity, as well as where and how we live.
The next data collection exercise begins this month. All Canadian households will receive a census invitation letter by mail with instructions on how to submit their data. The questionnaire may also be completed online through a secure and confidential portal, or through a Census Help Line where respondents can complete their questionnaires over the phone.
Data collected in this exercise create a statistical portrait of our diverse population and the places we live through the collection of demographic, social and economic information from households across Canada. At the same time, the Census of Agriculture is also conducted, collected details from all farms across the country.
Population Census data provides policy and lawmakers with information about socioeconomic trends that can directly influence local decisions today, including planning for schools, daycare, housing, hospitals, emergency services, roads, public transportation and employment skills training. The resulting statistical portrait of neighbourhoods large and small across the country also helps establish electoral boundaries, intergovernmental transfer payments and indicate the nature and level of social services required. Demographic details describing local workforce profiles also helps businesses make investment decisions that result in job creation. Once collated, the information is available free of charge on the Statistics Canada website.
Census taking has a long history in this country, having first taken place in 1666 in New France conducted under the direction of Jean Talon, the administrative head of the first European settlement in Canada. The objective then remains today- to provide information to formulate practical policy decisions. The 1666 review illustrated a significant discrepancy between the number of men and women in the population, triggering efforts to encourage women to immigrate to New France.
Among the topics covered are demographic variables including population counts, density and growth, a breakdown of population by age, sex and gender, household counts and family characteristics such as single parent families, same-sex, blended and multi-generational families. The analysis seeks to provide a current understanding of demographic trends related to population again, the growing ethno-cultural diversity and regional distributions of rural and urban populations and urban spread.
The 2021 Census indicated there was a population of 10,016 in Cavan Monaghan. It also provides a wide variety of details including their education levels and fields of study, their level and source of income, the languages they speak and their origins. Of the 9,765 Cavan Monaghan respondents to questions about country of origin, only 755 identified themselves as immigrants, the vast majority of those coming from Europe. Another 825 identified themselves as being born of first generation immigrants to Canada, up from 635 in 2016. Residents identifying themselves as visible minorities rose from 265 in 2016 to 520 in the 2021 data.
Our population is well educated with 85% of the population over 15 years of age having at least a high school diploma, and 58% with a post-secondary diploma, degree or certificate. Our training is in architecture, engineering and related trades, followed by business management, health care and social services/law.
Our median age was 44.8 years, and our income levels are climbing. The median income for residents 15 years or older with full time employment in 2021 was $67,500, up more than $10,000 from 2016; with the median for males at $78,500 and for females, $57,200.
Modernization initiatives have reduced the burden of completing surveys, and changes have also been implemented to better protect the confidentiality of respondent personal information by making personal data anonymous and ensuring secure handling and storage. Encryption technologies protect the privacy of information, and data submit-ted to the Statistics Canada web servers is encrypted before being stored, and remain so until they are transferred into a high-security internal network. Government staff whose work requires examining individual questionnaires operate under an Oath of Secrecy which is in effect for their entire life.
Ultimately, the census relies on the willing support, cooperation and participation of each individual who takes the time to provide personal details by completing their questionnaires either online or on paper. We can all benefit when everyone contributes, ensuring decision makers have access to relevant and accurate statistical information on our changing society to make decisions that affect us all.