NIEDB Recommendation Letter: Stats Can Census Data Gaps

Dear Minister Champagne and the Chief Statistician of Canada:

I am reaching out on behalf of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) to share some insights regarding the Canadian Census, particularly concerning its limitations in capturing comprehensive data about Indigenous communities. These data gaps have been a recurring concern raised by Indigenous community members throughout our consultations, most recently at our September Board meeting in Yellowknife, NWT and the Corporate Indigenous Relations Council Fall Members Meeting. Also, as we work on completing the 2024 Indigenous Economic Progress Report, which relies significantly on Census data to track Indigenous economic progress over time, these limitations have become especially evident.

A main concern that has been brought to our attention is the notion that because the Census often aggregates data for very small communities (under about 60 people) to maintain privacy, Indigenous communities of this or smaller, size may find their unique circumstances overlooked in the data. For these communities, whose small populations already face distinct challenges, this approach risks excluding critical information, which can hinder the development of supportive policies and programs.

Similarly, another important concern is that census questions may not fully capture the diversity and complexity of Indigenous identities. Many people feel that the categories do not reflect the nuanced ways in which they identify, which can result in data that falls short of representing the richness of Indigenous communities.

We have also noted that inconsistent participation across Indigenous communities has created challenges in assessing trends over time. Particularly, in remote or isolated communities, participation in the Census has varied significantly, sometimes leading to underreported or incomplete data for particular regions. Although the 2021 Census reported an Indigenous participation rate similar to the national average, some remote and on-reserve communities had lower response rates, meaning that we are still missing crucial information about Indigenous communities in these areas.

Compounding these challenges is the growing recognition among Indigenous organizations and communities of the need for Indigenous- led data sovereignty. Over time, many have lost trust in traditional data- collecting institutions, including Statistics Canada, and have started developing their own Indigenous-controlled data systems. These initiatives are rooted in self-determination and aim to better reflect Indigenous perspectives, priorities, and cultural contexts. While this shift is promising, it underscores the importance of fostering collaboration between Indigenous organizations and institutions like Statistics Canada.

To address these issues, we recommend a few key improvements:

1. We  believe  that  deeper  engagement  with  Indigenous  communities could  make  a  meaningful  difference,  especially  in  areas  that  are  harder  to  reach.  Culturally  appropriate  methods  that  respect  local  customs would help make the Census more inclusive. For example,  engaging  with  community  leaders  and  Elders  in  the  design  and  delivery  of  the  survey,  including  developing  specific  language  and targeted dissemination tactics for remote areas,  could  help address  specific concerns and barriers to participation.
2. We  believe  that  deeper  engagement  with  Indigenous  communities could  make  a  meaningful  difference,  especially  in  areas  that  are  harder  to  reach.  Culturally  appropriate  methods  that  respect  local customs would help make the Census more inclusive. For example, engaging  with  community  leaders  and  Elders  in  the  design  and delivery  of  the  survey,  including  developing  specific  language  and targeted dissemination tactics for remote areas,  could  help address specific concerns and barriers to participation. 
3. Reconsidering the voluntary nature of the long-form census could also enhance participation and lead to more reliable data. And with regard to questions of identity, providing options that allow people to select multiple Indigenous identities, or specify identities not listed, would go a long way toward capturing the full spectrum of Indigenous identity.
4. Reconsidering the voluntary nature of the long-form census could also enhance participation and lead to more reliable data. And with regard to questions of identity, providing options that allow people to select multiple Indigenous identities, or specify identities not listed, would go a long way toward capturing the full spectrum of Indigenous identity.
5. Supplementing  the  Census  with  targeted  surveys,  such  as  the Aboriginal  Peoples  Survey  or  other  data  collection  efforts  to  better capture  the  unique  socio-economic  realities  of  smaller  and  more remote Indigenous communities.

Many Indigenous organizations have also raised similar concerns. For example, the Assembly of First Nations in a 2022 report on closing the education gap, noted that while census data provides important insights, it does not fully capture the complexities of Indigenous peoples' experiences, particularly when it comes to socio-economic gaps, health disparities, and regional differences within communities. Indigenous Services Canada has worked with Statistics Canada to enhance the representation of Indigenous peoples through supplementary surveys like the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, which provides additional socio- economic and cultural data that the Census alone does not capture. In light of these widespread calls for improvement, the NIEDB is committed to advocating for a census that better serves Indigenous communities and supports robust economic policy development.

We appreciate Statistics Canada’s efforts to enhance Indigenous data collection and look forward to working together to create a census that fully reflects the diversity and needs of Indigenous communities across Canada. Thank you for considering our perspectives.

Sincerely,

Dawn Madahbee Leach

Chairperson, National Indigenous Economic Development Board