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Final estimates of 2006 Census coverage

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The Daily


Monday, September 29, 2008

The census attempts to count every person residing in Canada on Census Day. However, two types of errors can occur. Some people who should be enumerated can be missed (undercoverage), while some other persons can be enumerated more than once (overcoverage). The difference between these two coverage errors is called net undercoverage.

Nationally, the final estimate of the 2006 Census net undercoverage rate is 2.8%, compared with 3.1% for the 2001 Census. Net census undercoverage varies from one province and territory to another and from one age group to another.

Data from the 2006 Census will not be revised for net undercoverage, since there is not enough information to accurately adjust census data at all geographical levels and for small subgroups of the population.

The estimates of net undercoverage are combined with the Census counts to produce updated demographic estimates. Updated demography estimates based on 2006 Census counts and their associated net undercoverage are available today.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3902.

For more information, or to obtain data, contact Client Services (613-951-2320) or Demography Division (toll-free: 1-866-767-5611; demographie@statcan.gc.ca; fax: 613-951-2307).

To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality, contact Christian Thibault (613-951-6935; christian.thibault@statcan.gc.ca) or Normand Laniel (613-951-4766; normand.laniel@statcan.gc.ca), Social Survey Methods Division.

Tables. Table(s).