Guide on Ethnic, Racial, and Indigenous variables in the Census of Canada: 1870 to 2021

First conducted in 1871, the Census of Canada provides a snapshot of the people living in Canada, collecting socioeconomic data to help inform public policy, decide parliamentary representation, and direct funding to resources across the country. Initially run every ten years, the quinquennial Census was introduced in 1956. Throughout its history, the Census has continued to evolve and change reflecting
Canada’s political and social transformations.

In this guide, variables related to finding ethnic origins, race, culture, or where a respondent is born, are listed. Also included are links to variable column definitions, individual census records (for historical censuses), publications with tables, and data files. Additional censuses include the 1870 Census of Manitoba, 1906 Census of the Northwest Provinces, and the Census of the Prairie Provinces for 1916, 1926, 1936, and 1946.

This guide was created as part of the Data on Racialized and Indigenous Populations in Canada website hosted by Scholars Portal.