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1961 census counts Canadians
When a neighbour knocks on the door in June 1961, she might not be looking to
chat over a cup of tea. Rather, she might be employed by the Dominion Bureau of
Statistics to record your census data, including sensitive information like your
religion and your income. In this in-depth profile of the 1961 census from
CBC Newsmagazine, most people on the street say they're not concerned
about the census questions. But a B.C. chicken farmer steadfastly refuses to
answer the census and says he's willing to pay the fine.
• The first Canadian census, undertaken in 1871, asked 211 questions, though not
everyone had to answer all of them.
• The 1921 census was the first to be conducted by the Dominion Bureau of
Statistics, which had been created in 1918. Before that, the federal Ministry of
Agriculture and then the Ministry of Trade and Commerce were responsible for
it.
• Until 1966 Canadians had to answer the census questions during an interview
by a local enumerator hired for the purpose. But in 1971 the system was
overhauled so that census forms could be filled out in privacy at home. The
forms could then be mailed in (in large urban areas) or sealed for pickup by the
enumerator (in rural areas).
• In 1971 the Dominion Bureau of Statistics changed its name to Statistics Canada.
• In 1971 the Dominion Bureau of Statistics changed its name to Statistics Canada.
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Newsmagazine
Broadcast Date: June 11, 1961
Guest(s): Hotti Agnes, George Hees, O.A. Lemieux, Alex Metcalfe
Host: Norman DePoe
Duration: 14:25
Program: CBC Newsmagazine
Broadcast Date: June 11, 1961
Guest(s): Hotti Agnes, George Hees, O.A. Lemieux, Alex Metcalfe
Host: Norman DePoe
Duration: 14:25
Last updated: May 16, 2013
Page consulted on May 16, 2013
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