Ottawa, July 20, 2020
Statistics Canada is pleased to announce today that the questions for the 2021 Census of Agriculture have been published on Statistics Canada's website.
Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada, indicated that today's announcement will be an important step on the road to a successful census which will yield vital information.
"Canadians have relied on census data to tell us about how our country is changing and what matters to us, for over a century. Canadians in all walks of life depend on key socio-economic trends and analysis from the census to make important decisions that affect our families, our neighbourhoods and our businesses."
Each census cycle, Statistics Canada strives to improve all the elements of the Census Program—including the census questionnaire—and to build on past censuses. To determine the questions to be asked in the 2021 Census of Agriculture, Statistics Canada conducted comprehensive consultations and received 91 submissions from diverse groups including federal government departments and agencies, provincial focal points, industry organizations, academics, farm service companies and consulting firms. Twelve consultation workshops were also conducted for that purpose in September 2017.
Statistics Canada is a leader in the development of online enumeration and recognizes that good data and information are key for our communities and our economy, as well as fundamental to democracy. The census is instrumental to the agriculture and agri-food manufacturing sector, which contributed $49.0 billion to Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015, accounting for 2.6% of total GDP. By fostering innovation and inclusion, Statistics Canada has leveraged its world-class expertise to modernize the Census of Agriculture and, as a result, continues to provide reliable and important data to farm operators and their communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic created a number of challenges for the 2021 Census. Statistics Canada adapted to the situation to ensure that the 2021 Census is conducted throughout the country in the safest possible way while ensuring the quality data Canadians expect.
With the continued support and collaboration of Canadian farm operators across our great country, the 2021 Census of Agriculture promises to be another exciting endeavour.
For more information, contact Media Relations at 613-951-4636 or statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca.