More than a century of censuses in Canada - ARCHIVED

Every five years, the Census of Population provides an accurate portrait of the population, helping Canadians and organizations develop effective programs and services and make informed decisions. Censuses were conducted in Canada well before the national statistical agency was created more than 100 years ago. Interestingly, censuses of the population have existed for thousands of years, and their usefulness has evolved over the years, as has the type of information collected. This article provides a brief historical overview of censuses around the world, with emphasis on their evolution in Canada.