2006 Census products and services line

The 2006 Census products and services line is divided into five categories: standard data products, analysis series, reference products, custom services and geographic data products and services. Most of the census and geography products were released from spring 2007 to fall 2008, with data for some detailed levels of geography becoming available one month after their initial release.

Many census products are free of charge on the Internet to the public. For instance, standard topic-based data tables and community profiles for selected levels of geography are readily accessible online. For more detailed and personalized tables, for-fee custom services are provided by Statistics Canada's regional offices. The following section outlines the 2006 Census products and services.

Standard data products

The census database contains the collected statistical information on various characteristics of the population, households, dwellings and families. The census standard product line comprises predetermined data tables and profiles extracted from this database. As mentioned earlier, many of the 2006 Census tabulations are available for free on the census pages of Statistics Canada's website (www.statcan.gc.ca).

Standard data products for the 2006 Census include the following:

• Population and dwelling counts

  The first results released for the 2006 Census were the population and dwelling counts at various levels of geography, including Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, census divisions, census subdivisions, urban areas, designated places, federal electoral districts, forward sortation areas and statistical area classifications. The data are available for free to all users on the Internet. The publication, A National Overview: Population and Dwelling Counts, also reports these counts in print format and costs $40.

• Highlight tables

  On Day of release, census highlight tables present information by topic using key indicators for various levels of geography, including Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, census divisions, census subdivisions with a population of 5,000 or more and statistical area classifications. They may feature percent distributions and percentage change from 2001. The tables allow users to perform simple rank and sort functions. What's new for 2006 is that users can now view data for selected levels of geography in a graph format. This product is available for free to all users on the Internet.

• Topic-based tabulations

  This series of cross-tabulations presents the characteristics of the population based on the various census topics. Topic-based tabulations range in complexity and detail. The content varies from an overview of the country to complex tables that use exhaustive stubsets, cross-tabulate variables from different topics and include both current and historical census data. For 2006, the variable categories for topic-based tabulations were standardized, where possible. The content was streamlined and better integrated, which resulted in an enhanced set of comprehensive tabulations.

  Topic-based tabulations can be obtained for various levels of geography, including Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, census divisions, census subdivisions, federal electoral districts, forward sortation areas, census tracts and dissemination areas. Many topic-based tabulations are available for free on the Internet, while others are available at a cost. Prices vary according to level of geography and desired format.

  

  Example of a 2006 Census topic-based tabulation

• Community profiles

  These tables (approximately 200 data lines) provide a snapshot of all Canadian communities based on a number of variables or groups of variables. A mapping feature is available for viewing the location of a community within Canada. The 2006 Census Community profiles for Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, census divisions, census subdivisions, dissolved census subdivisions and health regions are available for free to all users on the Internet.

  New options for 2006 allow users to compare two regions, to customize the table by selecting views by topic and to build their own view, and include graphing and improved mapping capabilities.

• Cumulative profile and release components

  The cumulative profile offers a comprehensive portrait of Canadians for various geographic areas based on a number of detailed variables or groups of variables. Release components comprising variables from each of the major releases permit the user to build the cumulative profile (approximately 2,175 data lines) throughout the release cycle.

  The cumulative profile for the following levels of geography can be purchased: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions, census subdivisions, census tracts, dissemination areas, federal electoral districts, forward sortation areas, dissolved census subdivisions, designated places and urban areas.

  New for 2006 – The cumulative profile for census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations is available for free to all users on the Internet. In addition, the variables in the standard and semi-custom profiles have been harmonized for consistency.

• Census tract profiles

  This new product contains data for all census tracts across Canada. Census tracts are small, relatively stable geographic areas that usually have a population from 2,500 to 8,000 people and are located in census metropolitan areas and larger census agglomerations. Search capabilities such as by postal code or by census tract name and a mapping application assist the user in finding a census tract of interest. In addition, the data can be viewed using bar charts and pie charts, among other graph format. This product is available for free to all users on the Internet.

  

  Example of a census tract profile

• Aboriginal population profile

  This product presents a statistical overview (approximately 200 data lines) of the Aboriginal population for various communities in Canada and for which at least 250 people have self-identified with at least one Aboriginal group (i.e., North American Indian, Métis, those who have reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act, and those who are members of an Indian band or First Nation). The Aboriginal population profiles are available for free to all users on the Internet.

  New options for 2006 allow users to compare two regions, to customize the table by selecting views by topic and to build their own view, and include graphing and improved mapping capabilities.

• Federal electoral district profile

  These profiles offer a basic understanding (approximately 200 data lines) of the population that live in the 308 federal electoral districts within Canada (2003 Representation Order). This product is available for free to all users on the Internet.

• Special interest profiles

  New for 2006 – Special interest profiles feature specific topics and population groups according to selected demographic, socioeconomic and cultural characteristics (i.e., by ethnic group, Aboriginal population, age, occupation and industry). They are disseminated for Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations. Special interest profiles are available for free to all users on the Internet.

• Print profile series

  Print profiles (approximately 500 data lines) provide less detail than the cumulative profile and are available for census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, census divisions, census subdivisions and census tracts. The print publications cost from $70 to $335

• Census trends

  New for 2006 – Census trends presents summary data spanning three censuses: 2006, 2001 and 1996. This product is designed to make it easier to compare and analyse the changing demographic and socioeconomic composition of selected geographic areas across Canada. Summary data trends include percentage distribution and percentage change and are available for Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations and census subdivisions with a population of 5,000 or more.

  This product permits users to compare two geographic areas and is available for free to all users on the Internet.

  

  Example of the 2006 Census trends

• Special CD-ROMs

  Two CD-ROMs, Aboriginal peoples of Canada and Portrait of official language communities in Canada, have been produced to meet the needs of specific data user communities. Each CD-ROM contains detailed standard topic-based tabulations for selected geographic areas and costs $65.

• Public use microdata files

  Census public use microdata files enable access to a small sample of non-aggregated census data. The files consist of a comprehensive social and economic database on the Canadian population. Data users can manipulate and group the data to best fit their research purposes. The files have been carefully scrutinized to ensure confidentiality. To ensure the respondents' anonymity, geographic identifiers are restricted to provinces and territories, and to large metropolitan areas. These files are available at a cost.

Analysis series

This series of comprehensive analytical documents supplements the data from each of the eight major releases and examines census results at the national, provincial, territorial, census metropolitan area levels and, in certain instances, for census subdivisions and other levels of geography. These catalogued articles provide an analytical perspective on 2006 Census topics and are accompanied by animated vignettes and thematic maps, where applicable. Articles from the Analysis series are available for free to all users on the Internet.

Note: Supplementary analysis on mobility and migration, and housing and shelter costs were released later in the 2006 Census cycle.

Reference products

Reference products are designed to help users make the most of census data. They explain various aspects of the census, thereby providing support to users of the data. The four reference products listed below have been produced for the 2006 Census and are available for free to all users on the Internet.

• Dictionary

  The 2006 Census Dictionary incorporates definitions of many census variables, concepts, universes and levels of geography. It also includes historical information to make it easier to compare variables between census years and an overview of every phase of the census, from content determination to data dissemination, with a focus on changes from 2001.

  New for 2006 – The Census Handbook has been merged with the dictionary resulting in one comprehensive reference tool.

  

  Example from the 2006 Census Dictionary

• Preview of products and services

  This reference tool gives an overview of the proposed 2006 Census and geography products and services line. It describes the major characteristics and content of the line, and, where applicable, provides information on what's new compared with the 2001 Census. In addition, the tool presents the levels of geography, availability and delivery methods, release timeframe and pricing for a given product or service.

• Reference guides

  Reference guides, available for most census topics, help users to effectively apply and interpret 2006 Census data. Each guide contains definitions and explanations of census concepts, data quality and historical comparability.

• Technical reports

  Two formalized reports will be produced for the 2006 Census. The report called Sampling and Weighting will acquaint the reader with the method of sampling and weighting used in the 2006 Census, as well as its effect on the results. Coverage examines the errors that occur when people or dwellings are missed or are enumerated in error. The 2006 Census technical reports are geared to moderate and sophisticated users.

Custom services

Census custom services permit users to obtain personalized data tables and profiles and comprise custom tabulations, place of work and mode of transportation custom products, and semi-custom tabulations. They provide flexibility, making it possible to accommodate large, complex and tailored requests.

Census custom services for 2006 include the following:

• Custom tabulations

  These user-defined tabulations are produced to respond to specific data, geographic, formatting and output media requirements. They can incorporate non-standard variables, user-defined geographic areas (e.g., radius) and derived variables, which can be complex or require manipulation (e.g., averages). Custom cross-tabulations are available from the 1971 to 2006 census databases.

  The minimum cost for a census custom tabulation is $1,115. Prices include consultation and data processing fees and all other costs (e.g., programming) incurred while specifying, extracting and delivering the requested data table.

  Statistics Canada also produces custom tabulations on the topic of place of work from the 1971, 1981, and the 1991 to 2006 census databases. The levels of geography available for place of work tabulations vary according to census year.

• Semi-custom profiles

  Basic profile

  Basic profiles consist of a series of predetermined variables (2,169 data lines) and permit users to obtain data for standard levels of geography not readily available elsewhere (e.g., economic regions) as well as for user-defined geographic areas (e.g., wards). They include census characteristics pertaining to individuals, families, households and dwellings and are available from the 1971 and 1981 to 2006 census databases.

  Target Group Profiles

  These semi-custom profiles encompass a fixed number of variables (1,767 data lines) and enable users to acquire data for a particular target group (e.g., ethnic group or age group). Target group profile variables are limited to population characteristics (e.g., age, sex, marital status, language, education, labour market activity and income). These semi-custom profiles are available from the 1991 to 2006 census databases.

• Semi-custom cross-tabulations

  Semi-custom cross-tabulations allow users to replicate the content of a topic-based tabulation on standard levels of geography for which data are not readily available and on custom geographic areas (e.g., school catchment areas).

  The base price for semi-custom profiles and cross-tabulations is $305 plus costs per area. Custom and semi-custom products for the 2006 Census are available in a variety of output media (e.g., print, CD-ROM and electronic data transfer).